CLEVELAND (AP) - A change of plea hearing has been set for the former senior official of a northeast Ohio wastewater company charged with violating the federal Clean Water Act.
Authorities allege that Ben Lupo ordered an employee at Hardrock Excavating LLC to repeatedly dump gas-drilling wastewater intended for an injection well into a storm sewer. Lupo has pleaded not guilty.
Judge Donald Nugent on Wednesday scheduled a change of plea hearing for Lupo for Monday in federal court in Cleveland.
Such hearings are typically scheduled for defendants about to enter a guilty plea. Defense attorney Joseph Gardner declined comment.
The employee in the case, 34-year-old Michael Guesman (GOOS’-men), of Cortland, entered a guilty plea in August and is scheduled for sentencing Thursday.
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