This incident didn't stop the Dave Matthews band from taking part in the anti-Bush "Vote for Change" tour last fall.
Posted on 03/09/2005 1:17:54 PM PST by Land_of_Lincoln_John
CHICAGO (AP) A bus driver for the Dave Matthews Band pleaded guilty Wednesday to dumping 800 pounds of human waste from the vehicle's septic tank onto a sightseeing boat on the Chicago River last summer.
The driver, Stefan Wohl, was sentenced to 18 months probation, 150 hours of community service and the maximum $10,000 fine, which will be paid to Friends of the Chicago River, said Tom Stanton, a spokesman for the Cook County State's Attorney's office.
Wohl, 42, of Selma, Texas, pleaded guilty to the original charges filed against him in January, reckless conduct and discharging contaminates to cause water pollution, Stanton said.
According to authorities, Wohl was alone in the bus of band violinist Boyd Tinsley on his way to a downtown hotel Aug. 8 when he emptied the bus' septic tank as it crossed the metal grates of the Kinzie Street bridge.
The human waste poured through the grates and onto the open deck of the Chicago's Little Lady tour boat, which was passing below with more than 100 people on board.
The boat immediately returned to its dock and was disinfected, and officials with the Chicago Architectural Foundation, which operates the tour, offered refunds. They said they received several calls from angry passengers who also demanded compensation for clothing and personal items.
When Wohl was charged, prosecutors said he had talked to investigators and denied discharging waste on the bridge, prosecutors said.
Authorities used surveillance tapes from area buildings to zero in on the bus and consulted with engineers to determine the waste release was not an accident.
Prosecutors said the band cooperated in the investigation, flying Tinsley to Chicago to be interviewed by authorities and bringing the bus, one of a number used by the band, back for inspection.
Shortly after the incident, the band issued a statement on its Web site saying that if the bus was found to be responsible, the band would "work quickly to make amends, with the people on the boat and with Chicago."
The band has since donated $50,000 to the Friends of the Chicago River and $50,000 to the Chicago Park District.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has also filed a civil lawsuit seeking $70,000 in damages against the band and driver alleging they violated state environmental laws. That case is ongoing, and the next court date is scheduled for next month, according to Madigan spokeswoman Melissa Merz.
This incident didn't stop the Dave Matthews band from taking part in the anti-Bush "Vote for Change" tour last fall.
love the keywords, LOL
Well their music is crap.
See I told you so!
What a lousy thing to do! The fine should have been larger.
"The driver, Stefan Wohl, was sentenced to 18 months probation, 150 hours of community service and the maximum $10,000 fine, which will be paid to Friends of the Chicago River, said Tom Stanton, a spokesman for the Cook County State's Attorney's office."
Not stiff enough. He should have to serve some time, and the fine should be doubled.
The driver was probably told "get rid of this s**t" ... and he did.
I also remember them denying the accusation very forcibly. And then yes, continuing on with their Bush bashing tour.
I'm confused. Why does the 10k fine go to Friends of the Chicago River?
Looks like the "Friends of the Chicago River" is profiting nicely from this incident. (Who wants to place bets that it's some "Greenie" organization?)
But what about the people that the sewage was dumped on?
BINGO!!!! So is the Parks Assn.
You mean the VIOLINIST has his OWN BUS?
"But what about the people that the sewage was dumped on?"
----They don't get SH**.----
Big Brother is watching.
But what about the people that the sewage was dumped on?
I’m sure they, and their lawyers, won’t starve.
There will be a big quiet payday coming their way.
They weren't ants marching.
That's exactly what I was thinking! Jeeeze, I turn the radio dial ASAP everytime Dave Matthews Band comes on. Must be someone out there that like them.
ROTFLMAO.......
Hey, how may people can say they've been crapped on by Dave Mathews?
But then again, in a small way, I guess we all can.
Bones
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