PRIOR LAKE, Minn., -- Robert Steinmetz of Prior Lake, Minn. was charged on May 11 with violating the Clean Water Act. Steinmetz is the former owner of Riverwood Auto, an auto repair firm, and Diamondback Bedliner, a manufacturer of automotive bedliner coatings, both located in Bloomington, Minn.
The indictment charges that in Nov. 2003, Steinmetz knowingly discharged wastewater containing petroleum-based chemicals into a storm sewer that feeds into the Minnesota River. Steinmetz also allegedly made a false statement, saying that he only dumped two drums of water. The case was investigated by the Chicago Area Office of EPA's Criminal Investigation Division and the Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services.
It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minneapolis. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.
