The Erie Coke Corporation has a long history of environmental violations in the East Erie community, and on Tuesday, the now-defunct business was given their punishment.
A federal judge ruled that the corporation must pay $700,000 for a multi-year conspiracy to violate the U.S. Clean Air Act, a decision some environmental activists said isn’t enough.
“It was what we expected. We knew what this was going to be. We knew they were going from $4 million, which is no fine at all, to $700,000, which is less of a fine, the seven felony counts reduced to one felony count, charges virtually dropped against the other two defendants…” said Sister Pat Lupo, a Benedictine Sister of Erie and co-chair of Hold Erie Coke Accountable.
Attorneys explain why they believe Erie Coke employee case should be dropped
The sentencing comes after Erie Coke pleaded guilty to air emission violations, agreeing to pay the $700,000 fine, and also as employee Dave Stablein was dismissed from the case in August after pleading guilty, as his prosecution would have cost more than it’s worth…