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BROWARD COUNTY – Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) law enforcement agents
recently charged a dry cleaning business owner for violating hazardous waste and litter laws, both third
degree felonies punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine. Steven Weinfield, President
of Dry Cleaning Systems, Inc. in Lauderdale Lakes, was recently charged after eight months of investigation
for failing to properly dispose of hazardous waste generated within the dry cleaning facility.
“After receiving a complaint from Broward County and months of investigation, DEP’s law enforcement agents
were able to solve this crime and enforce Florida’s environmental laws,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement
Director Henry Barnet. “Ensuring that hazardous waste is properly stored and disposed of helps protect our
soil and groundwater resources from pollution and protects the public’s health.”
Weinfield was evicted from the facility where his dry cleaning business operated until 2006. Upon eviction
from the facility he left behind several drums full of hazardous waste without notice or permission from the
property owner. Weinfield also left 21 dry cleaning machines stored outside the facility for approximately
one year which resulted in groundwater contamination from the leakage of tetrachloroethylene, a chemical
used in the dry cleaning process. The property owner is currently working with Broward County to clean up
the site.
DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental resource law enforcement,
providing law enforcement services to Florida’s state parks and greenways and trails. Agents investigate
environmental resource crimes and illegal dredge and fill activities, and respond to natural disasters,
civil unrest, hazardous material incidents and oil spills that threaten the environment.
To report an environmental crime, wireless customers can now dial #DEP. Callers can also report environmental
crimes to the State Warning Point by calling (877) 2-SAVE-FL (1.877.272.8335). General environmental inquiries
should be directed to DEP district offices during business hours.
For more information about DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/law.
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