Company fined record sum for dumping waste oil

BOSTON (AP) A massive fine is levied on a tanker firm for dumping waste oil straight into the water off six ports, including Beaumont, Texas.<br/> <br/>Federal officials announced today that they've

Tuesday, December 19th 2006, 12:34 pm

By: News On 6

BOSTON (AP) A massive fine is levied on a tanker firm for dumping waste oil straight into the water off six ports, including Beaumont, Texas.

Federal officials announced today that they've levied a record $37 million fine on Overseas Shipholding Group Incorporated.

That's after the New York company pleaded guilty to 33 felony charges related to the dumping.

The violations occurred over three years off Boston; Portland, Maine; San Francisco, Los Angeles; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Beaumont.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Coast Guard said in a joint statement that nine vessels didn't use required equipment to clean and filter oil waste.

They just poured it into the ocean.

In court documents, company officials admitted they dumped oil to save time and money.

Tuesday, OSG officials said they have the right people and systems in place to prevent a repeat of the dumping.