CLEVELAND (AP) — Federal officials are accusing a business owner of dumping liquid cyanide into a storm drain, causing the death of almost 31,000 fish in an Ohio river.
U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach in Cleveland said the owner and his wife — both from Grafton — have been indicted on charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Owner Renato Mortorsi also is accused of violating the Clean Water Act.
Authorities say the 79-year-old Mortorsi punched a hole in drum of liquid cyanide in April. The contents then flowed into a storm drain and eventually into the East Branch of the Rocky River that runs through Cleveland's western suburbs.
According to the indictment, the couple denied knowledge of the drum.
State officials found 30,893 dead fish in a three-mile stretch of the river.
