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.
