Accused Polluter Contributes Thousands to Top RI Politicians
Monday, March 19, 2012
Over the last decade, a Cumberland businessman who could be forced to pay fines of over $30,000 per day dating back several years for violating the Clean Water Act has made over $20,000 in campaign contributions to several prominent local politicians, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Congressional candidate Brendan Doherty.
A GoLocalProv review of state and federal campaign finance records shows that Joseph Ferreira, whose real estate company now rents the 39 acre property located at 290 Curran Road in Cumberland to Advanced Auto Recycling, has contributed at least at least $13,495 to local mayors, members of the General Assembly and statewide officeholders and $6,750 to Whitehouse and Doherty since 2004.
Ferreira and several associates, including the LKQ Corporation, which bills itself as the “largest nationwide source for quality recycled auto parts,” are named in a civil suit filed by Louis Paolino and Marie Issa, who own property adjacent to the business.
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Paolino and Issa are accusing Ferreira and the other defendants of violating the Clear Water Act by discharging pollutants in violation of state water quality standards and failing to sample, monitor and report discharges.
All Clean Water Act violations come with fines of $32,500 per day prior to Jan. 12, 2009 and $37,500 after that date.
The violations include:
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In November 2002, the Pawtucket Water Supply Board found methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) near a discharge channel.
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In March 2004, Pawtucket Water Supply again found MTBE in a runoff from the property.
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In March 2005, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) cited Ferreira for “unauthorized discharge of runoff to surface waters.”
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In April 2005, a consulting companying found sheen and oil globules at two points near a stream close to the company.
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In March 2008, a consultant found oil sheen on the surface water discharged from the property.
- In October 2008, Pawtucket Water Supply found high turbidity and color in runoff from the property.
In addition, the DEM fined Ferreira $2,670 in March 2010 after an “inspection revealed turbid water discharging from the two outfall pipes into Curran brook. Samples collected during the inspection were analyzed for turbidity and showed that the discharge from the pipes caused a violation of the water quality criteria for turbidity.”
Major Campaign Contributor
Still, while all of the alleged violations were taking place, Ferreira was making cash contributions to the campaign accounts of more than a dozen local and federal elected officials and candidates.
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The top recipient was former Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Patrick Lynch, who received $3,470 from Ferreira between 2004 and 2010.
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Senator Whitehouse, who sits on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, received $3,250 directly from Ferreira and another $6,500 from other defendants in the lawsuit.
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Republican Congressional candidate Brendan Doherty received $2,500.
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Cumberland Mayor Dan McKee received $2,450 between 2006 and 2011.
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Central Falls Mayor Charles Moreau received $2,899.14 between 2004 and 2008.
- Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign received $1,000 in 2008.
Senate Candidate Rips Whitehouse
The contributions that went to Senator Whitehouse have caught the eye of Republican Senate candidate Barry Hinckley, who has been an outspoken critic of the Senator since he announced his intentions to challenge Whitehouse nearly a year ago.
Hinckley ripped Whitehouse for focusing too much on fundraising and not paying enough to attention to his constituents.
“The hypocrisy of massive amounts of campaign cash flowing to Senator Whitehouse from one of Rhode Island’s biggest polluters, while deeply troubling, shouldn’t surprise anyone,” Hinckley said. “That’s how it works with these career politicians, whether it’s the Wall Street banks, the trial lawyers or Hollywood elites, Senator Whitehouse has shown that his vote is for sale to the highest bidder.”
Hinckley said Whitehouse should be focusing on job creation.
“Rhode Island is reeling from skyrocketing unemployment and skyrocketing fuel prices, yet Senator Whitehouse is focused on collecting cash to save his job while many Rhode Islander don't have one,” he said.
A spokesman for Whitehouse did not wish to comment.
McKee: Case Doesn’t Impact Cumberland
But Mayor McKee, who also benefited from Ferreira’s contributions, said he is aware of the lawsuit, but that he doesn’t his town will be affected by the pending cases.
“I do know Joe,” McKee said. “I am aware that there are pending legal issues regarding his business. But I do not know the details on these legal issues. I do not believe any of these pending cases negatively impact the town of Cumberland.”
Editor’s Note: Multiple attempts to reach Ferreira through the LKQ Corporation last week were unsuccessful.
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