Van Hollen Announces Settlements in Trempealeau County Environmental Violations Cases

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen today announced that Thomas A. Callaghan has agreed to pay fines and costs totaling $5,000 for his unlawful discharge of pollutants into the waters of the state without a permit namely, metal shavings from Tremplo Manufacturing, Inc., into a storm sewer manhole that led directly to the Buffalo River.   

After the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducted an investigation and referred the matter to the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) for prosecution, a criminal charge was brought against Callaghan for this 2006 violation of environmental protection laws.  Callaghan pled no contest to the charge and was found guilty at a hearing on November 10, 2009.  Trempealeau County Circuit Court Judge John A. Damon approved the plea agreement entered into between Callaghan and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.   

In a related case, Callaghan's employer, Tremplo Manufacturing, Inc., which fabricates metal parts for industrial mixers, has agreed to pay forfeitures and costs totaling $18,907 in a civil action arising out of the same discharge.  Judge Damon approved this settlement on November 10, 2009.  Callaghan and Tremplo Manufacturing cooperated with the Department of Justice. 

"For the protection of Wisconsin citizens and our natural environment, the Wisconsin Department of Justice will continue to work with the DNR to ensure that Wisconsin environmental laws are followed," Van Hollen said. 

Assistant Attorney General Mary Batt represented the State.