www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,144951,00.html
search) is charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless co nduct and discharging contaminates to cause water pollution, Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine said. The charges carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $10,000 fine. Wohl, 42, of Selma, Texas, turned himself in to Chicago police Wednesday and was released on his own recognizance, authorities said. According to authorities, Wohl was driving alone to a downtown hotel Aug. The waste poured through the grates and onto the open deck of the Chicago 's Little Lady tour boat, which was passing below with more than 100 peo ple on board. Prosecutors relied on surveillance tapes and consulted engineers about th e releasing of the waste before filing charges. "We were satisfied with what they told us that it could not have been an accident," prosecutor R obert Egan said.
Calls to Wohl's attorney, Mark Rotert, were not immediately returned Wedn esday. No one was hurt in the incident, but officials with the Chicago Architect ural Foundation, which operates the boat tour, said they have received s everal angry calls from passengers demanding compensation for clothing a nd personal items. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a lawsuit seeking $70,00 0 in damages against the band and the driver, alleging they violated sta te environmental laws. At the time, a band spokesman said that Wohl had said he was not involved with the incident. An October-dated statement on the band's Web site said that although "we still do not have a definitive understanding of what happened," the band would work with affected passengers to "make things right for all conce rned" and make $50,000 donations to the Chicago Park District and Friend s of the Chicago River. The band's statement said the incident "is awful and it goes against so m any principles we hold dear: environmentalism, accountability, and, most ly, principles of humanity." Prosecutors said the band cooperated in the investigation, including flyi ng violinist Boyd Tinsley, who used the bus, from California to Chicago to be interviewed and bringing the bus back to the Chicago area for insp ection.
com Site Tools Take advantage of services and tools that get you closer to the news. Sub scribe to FOX News Alerts, or download our FNC Ringtones, Search Toolbar , Ticker and more.
|