Despite conviction, All-Out Sewer licenses still valid for time being

Although All-Out Sewer and Drain owner Ray Caldwell was convicted Monday in federal court of 33 felonies related to illegally dumping septic waste, the Longview business can remain operating for now.

Longview and Cowlitz County officials wouldnt say Wednesday whether they intend to revoke All-Outs licenses. Longview Public Works Director Jeff Cameron declined to comment regarding All-Outs city general business license, which expires in May.

Chris Bischoff, environmental health manager for the Cowlitz County Health Department, said the county was investigating the possibility of revoking Caldwells septic pumping license and would make a decision by January.

Were proceeding with due caution to make sure everything is done correctly as were evaluating the verdict of the federal trial, Bischoff said. Were ensuring hes getting due process.

In mid-November, the county revoked the license of Caldwells business partner, Randy Dingus, who pleaded guilty to one felony count of violating the federal Clean Water Act. Dingus held a license as an operations and maintenance provider of septic systems, Bischoff said. He will be sentenced Jan. 27 for participating in the illegal dumping scheme.

Caldwell, 60, started the drain cleaning and septic pumping business in 1990. Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle found Caldwell guilty of all 33 counts he faced: 25 felony counts of violating the federal Clean Water Act, six counts of mail fraud and two counts of making false statements. He will be sentenced March 10.

Caldwell was accused of pumping septic waste from his collection trucks into the city sewer system on 25 different dates last year to avoid disposal fees of 10 to 25 cents per gallon. He also is accused of underreporting by hundreds of thousands of gallons the amount of septage he collected from customers.

The mail fraud charges stem from Cowlitz County mailing invoices to All-Out for per-gallon collection fees based on fraudulent information the company provided.

The judge also found the company All-0ut Sewer guilty of 32 of the same charges.

Violations of the Clean Water Act are punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $5,000 to $50,000 per violation, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

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Despite conviction, All-Out Sewer licenses still valid for time being