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Farmer and waste management company convicted of illegal dumping in Frankfort

By Associated Press

Story Created: Oct 17, 2012 at 10:32 AM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 17, 2012 at 5:09 PM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Federal authorities say a central New York farmer and a New Jersey waste management company owner have been found guilty of conspiring to illegally dump tons of asbestos-contaminated construction debris on wetlands near the Mohawk River in 2006.

Convicted of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and violate the Clean Water Act and Superfund laws are Cross Nicastro, owner of the property in Frankfort, along with Mazza & Sons Inc., and owner Dominick Mazza.

A jury found them guilty Tuesday after a 10-day trial in Utica. Authorities say they were also convicted of obstructing justice and violating the Superfund law's requirement to report the release of toxic materials.

They could face up to five years in prison on each count.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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