Posted on 05/25/2003 1:14:09 PM PDT by Liz
Robert Torricelli is back on the federal payroll.
Less than six months after Torricelli left the U.S. Senate, a federal judge named him as Special Master to oversee Honeywell International Inc.'s cleanup of a chromium-contaminated site on the banks of the Hackensack River in Jersey City.
The order by U.S. District Judge Dennis Cavanaugh does not say how much Torricelli will earn, only that he and people he hires "will receive reasonable compensation for their time and expenses," and that Honeywell will pick up the tab.
The appointment comes less than a week after Cavanaugh ordered Morris Township-based Honeywell to clean up more than 1 million tons of toxic waste dumped in Jersey City. The chromium-bearing waste was dumped on the site over more than half a century by Mutual Chemical Co., which a Honeywell predecessor company purchased in 1954.
The land later was converted to business and recreational uses, including the Roosevelt Drive-In theater and stores.
Exposure to chromium dust can damage the lungs, liver, and kidneys; increase the risk of lung cancer; and cause skin lesions.
Steven German, an attorney for the plaintiff in the civil suit, Interfaith Community Organization of Jersey City, estimated that the cleanup will cost more than $400 million. Honeywell has said it will appeal the ruling.
Cavanaugh gave Torricelli authority "to take whatever reasonable steps are necessary to successfully carry out his duties [and to] expend as much time as is required to ensure the remediation of the project is completed in a timely manner."
One of Torricelli's first jobs, the judge said, will be determining "a reasonable estimate" for the overall cost of the cleanup, so Cavanaugh can determine how much money Honeywell has to put in escrow or guarantee through a letter of credit "to assure completion of the remediation project."
Torricelli left the Senate after one term, pushed to drop out of his reelection campaign last year because of voters' reaction to his ethical problems.
The move ended the Democrat's 30 years in public life, starting with a write-in election to the Democratic municipal committee in Franklin Lakes in 1972.
Honeywell, with sales of $22 billion last year, is one of 30 companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Kevin G. DeMarrais' e-mail address is demarrais@northjersey.com
I wouldn't trust the creep to walk my dog never mind have him hog tax dollars slopping at the public trough.
FOX ASSIGNED TO GUARD HEN HOUSE
A crooked, greasy lawyer from New Jersey is the only person on the planet without any background in biology, chemistry, environmental science, etc. who is qualified to oversee a cleanup effort at a toxic dump.
Office of the Press Secretary
(Aboard Air Force One)
________________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release May 3, 2000 PRESIDENT CLINTON NOMINATES DENNIS M. CAVANAUGH TO THE FEDERAL BENCH The President today nominated Dennis M. Cavanaugh to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Dennis M. Cavanaugh, of North Caldwell, New Jersey, has been a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey since 1993. Prior to becoming a magistrate judge, Cavanaugh was a partner at the law firms of McCormack Petrolle & Matthews (1992), Whipple Ross & Hirsh (1987-1992), and Tompkins McGuire & Wachenfeld (1984-1987). He also served as a partner (1980-1984) and associate (1977-1980) at Lum Biunno & Tompkins. Before entering private practice, Cavanaugh worked as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender at the New Jersey Public Defender's Office (1973-1977). He received his B.A. degree from Morehead State University in 1969 and his J.D. degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1972. Following law school, Cavanaugh clerked for the Honorable Francis W. Hayden of the New Jersey Superior Court (1972-1973).
What does it take to put away a corrupt ot traitorous Democratic politician these days??
Only when da "hands" are excrement-covered filthy doity.
Torricelli fits da bill...
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