Judge schedules hearing for W.Va. executive in spill
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A judge has scheduled a guilty plea hearing for the last executive charged in a chemical spill that contaminated West Virginia’s biggest drinking water supply.
In Charleston federal court Wednesday, Judge Thomas Johnston set an Aug. 18 hearing for former Freedom Industries executive Dennis Farrell.
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said prosecutors generally file for guilty plea hearings when a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a federal charge or charges.
Farrell faces spill-related federal pollution charges.
The January 2014 spill spurred a ban on using tap water for 300,000 people for as many as 10 days.
The bankrupt company and four ex-officials have pleaded guilty to pollution charges.
Ex-Freedom President Gary Southern has a guilty plea hearing scheduled for Aug. 19. He faces bankruptcy fraud and pollution charges.