Between January 1996 and September 1998, Fish allegedly disposed of sewage pumped from residential septic tanks and restaurant grease traps by discharging it into manholes connected to municipal sewers. This dumping allegedly was done to avoid paying treatment fees. Fish allegedly charged his customers 10 cents per gallon, contending that the sewage was being properly disposed of at a local treatment facility. Such facilities in Massachusetts usually charge 4½ cents per gallon to accept sewage. Fish allegedly pocketed the money that legally should have been paid to the treatment facilities.
If convicted, Fish faces up to five years in prison and/or up to $250,000 in fines. The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts in Boston.