News

Two former executives at Freedom Industries are due in court for plea hearings on charges stemming from last year’s chemical spill in Charleston.

Separate hearings are set Monday in U.S. District Court for ex-Freedom owners Charles Herzing and William Tis.

Plea hearings also are scheduled on Wednesday for Freedom environmental consultant Robert Reynolds and tank farm plant manager Michael Burdette and on March 23 for the company itself. All are charged with federal Clean Water Act violations and are expected to plead guilty.

Ex-Freedom owner Dennis Farrell and former President Gary Southern face trial later this year on charges related to the spill. In addition, Southern faces charges related to Freedom’s bankruptcy.

The January 2014 spill contaminated drinking water for 300,000 residents for days.