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Guilty Plea Scheduled In Freedom Industries Case
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A judge has scheduled a guilty plea hearing for the last executive charged in a chemical spill that contaminated West Virginia’s biggest drinking water supply.
In Charleston federal court Wednesday, Judge Thomas Johnston set an Aug. 18 hearing for former Freedom Industries executive Dennis Farrell.
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin says prosecutors generally file for guilty plea hearings when a defendant has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge or charges.
Farrell faces spill-related federal pollution charges.
The January 2014 spill spurred a ban on using tap water for 300,000 people for up to 10 days.
The bankrupt company and four ex-officials have pleaded guilty to pollution charges.
Ex-Freedom President Gary Southern has a guilty plea hearing scheduled for Aug. 19. He faces bankruptcy fraud and pollution charges.