Former Sebring water system operator pleads innocent to charges over lead in drinking water

SEBRING

James V. Bates, the former water-system operator here, has entered a written innocent plea to three criminal counts the state brought against him in the village’s crisis earlier this year over lead in drinking water.

He waived his right to be present for his arraignment.

Through his lawyer, John B. Juhasz of Boardman, Bates also waived his right to a speedy trial in a Tuesday court filing and asked that he be allowed to remain free on his own recognizance based on his longtime local residence and family ties to this area.

Bates, 60, of Carey Road, Salem, was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning before Judge Diane Vettori in Mahoning County Area Court here.

Bates faces two counts of recklessly failing to provide timely notice of individual lead tap-water test results to affected consumers and one count of recklessly failing to provide timely systemwide public education in violation of Ohio’s safe-drinking water laws.

Juhasz declined Wednesday to comment on the charges.

A tap-water drinking advisory was issued; schools closed; blood lead-level testing clinics were conducted; and free bottled water was distributed when the crisis erupted in January after high lead levels were detected in August and September 2015.

Before June, water supply officials had 30 days to notify homeowners whose taps were tested of lead level results and 60 days to notify the entire community.

On June 9, Gov. John Kasich

signed House Bill 512, requiring residents to be notified of results within two days.

Read more about the case in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.