Nassau Man Charged With Illegally Dumping 80,000 Pounds Of Debris

A Valley Stream man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly dumping 80,000 pounds of construction debris along the side of a road in Uniondale.

Jose Napolean Cruz Maltez, 39, and his company L&J Stucco were arraigned on charges of first-degree criminal mischief, solid waste management facilities (prohibited disposal), solid wast management faicilities (construction and demolition debris porcessing facilities) and putting noisome or unwholesome substances on or near a highway. Maltez was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court Aug. 17. If convicted, he faces up to 7 years in prison. The corporation’s case was set for the same date.

"This defendant is charged with illegally dumping massive quantities of construction debris over a large area of public land in Nassau County," said District Attorney Madeline Singas. "Long Island’s natural beauty is a treasure that we must vigorously protect, and I am grateful to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State Department of Transportation for bringing us this case."

On April 24, 2017, the Department of Transportation contacted the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation regarding the illegal dumping of construction and demolition debris found on vacant land along the south side of Jerusalem Avenue, bordered to the west by the Meadowbrook State Parkway, in Uniondale. DEC investigators responded to the location and found four piles of debris weighing 80,000 pounds and measuring approximately 106 feet long by 9 feet wide by 5 feet high.

An investigation by DEC traced the debris back to a residential address in Forest Hills, Queens where demolition was occurring. The investigation also revealed the company completing the construction and demolition at the site had hired Maltez, who is the owner of L&J Stucco, to haul away their waste from the site. The company also paid L&J Stucco for the cost of disposal at an authorized facility in addition to L&J Stucco’s fee.

Illegal dumping can contaminate not only the dumping site requiring costly cleanup, but harmful contaminants can seep into the water table below as well. The Department of Transportation estimates that cleanup costs for this site will total approximately $15,000.

"Illegal dumping is a serious issue, and through Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the state is cracking down on those who fail to properly dispose of construction and demolition debris and threaten public health and our natural resources," said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. "This case sends a clear message that polluters will be brought to justice, and I commend the work of our DEC officers and the Nassau District Attorney’s office for prosecuting this illegal act.”

Photos: District Attorney's Office