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The president of a Michigan-based chemical company has been arraigned on multiple felony charges related to the mismanagement of hazardous waste at a production facility, which led to an oil and chemical spill in the Flint River in 2022.

Rajinder Singh Minhas, who serves as the president, treasurer, and director of Lockhart Chemical Co., was arrested at his home in Rochester, Michigan. Minhas appeared before the 67th District Court on Wednesday, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office.

Minhas is accused of failing to properly maintain the company's Flint facility, which produced rust inhibitors for the metalworking industry. State environmental and hazardous waste regulations are at the heart of the charges, with the prosecution alleging that Minhas falsified records to conceal the violations that took place at the site.

The felony charges filed against Minhas include falsifying public records, publishing false or altered public documents, and placing the public in substantial danger. He is also charged with unlawfully discharging a harmful substance into Michigan’s waters, making false statements about air pollution control, and violating air pollution laws. In addition, Minhas faces misdemeanor charges for breaching hazardous waste and liquid industrial waste laws regarding proper waste labeling, storage, and disposal.

On June 15, 2022, around 15,000 gallons of an oil and chemical mixture were discharged into the Flint River, sparking investigations by state and federal authorities.

According to Nessel, the spill resulted from Minhas' failure to address critical facility maintenance issues, refusal to implement necessary upgrades, and lack of preventive measures. Moreover, Minhas did not provide employees with annual emergency training, she explained in a press conference.

Despite the clear evidence linking the discharge to Lockhart, Minhas initially denied that the oil and chemical mixture had come from his company in the aftermath of the spill, Nessel said.

Following his arraignment, Minhas was released on a personal recognizance bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 2.

After the 2022 spill and as investigations into the company's waste management practices continued, Lockhart filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The company disclosed assets between $1 million and $10 million, and liabilities between $10 million and $50 million in its initial bankruptcy filing in October 2022.

Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are actively involved in overseeing the proper handling of hazardous substances at the facility during the bankruptcy proceedings.

Minhas is being represented by Ashlee N. Duplessis of Duplessis Law PLLC. An attorney for the state did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The case is State of Michigan v. Minhas, case number 2024-24T03512-FY, in the 67th Judicial District Court of Michigan.