A Danby businessman is facing criminal charges he buried drums of waste oil on property he owns next to his business on U.S. Route 7.
Fifty-eight-year-old David McLellan pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of illegally disposing of hazardous waste.
The state alleges that McLellan buried 23, 55-gallon drums, seven of which contained waste oil. Investigators allege the barrels came from McLellan Enterprises Inc. and McClellan’s Auto Sales.
McLellan’s attorney Barry Griffith declined comment.
The state began investigating in April after a neighbor reported McLellan was burying steel drums on his property.
If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.