Not guilty plea in Fulton County hazardous waste case

ALBANY – The former owner of a now-shuttered Fulton County leather company pleaded not guilty Monday to a federal indictment alleging he illegally stored hundreds of gallons of hazardous waste in his old factory.

Robert James Carville, 56, of West Palm Beach, Fla., who owned the Carville National Leather Corp. a tannery in Johnstown that closed in 2013, faces up to a $41.7 million fine and up to three years in federal prison if convicted of the top charges.

Carville is charged with illegal storage of hazardous waste and failing to report the release of a hazardous substance, Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Myers told Magistrate Judge Christian Hummel in U.S. District Court.

The judge permitted Carville to remain free on $100,000 personal recognizance bond. He approved a request from Carville's Albany attorney, Benjamin Hill, to allow Carville to travel to various parts of the country for his role as membership coordinator for the International Hot Rod Association, which promotes drag racing at motorsport facilities around the globe.

The indictment alleged Carville knowingly stored hazardous wastes, including chromium and lead, without a permit at his former business at 10 Knox Ave. in Johnstown between April 1, 2014 and July 13, 2016.

Carville "released hundreds of gallons of hazardous substances by abandoning dozens of drums and barrels containing such hazardous substances in a closed-down tannery facility," the indictment said.

Carville and his attorney both declined to comment after the court appearance. The case will be transferred to  Senior Judge Frederick Scullin, who is based in Syracuse.