David Turick, proprietor of the aptly-named Auto Undertakers in Monticello, is being charged with contempt of court after repeatedly blowing off court orders to clean up his property. He faces up to $2 million in fines, and the state A.G.'s office is recommending thirty days' imprisonment. From the Times Herald-Record:
Turick owns roughly 14 acres across from his home, where numerous boats, cars and tires are scattered about in the yard. DEC inspectors estimate he must remove 24,000 cubic yards, and anticipate the cleanup will take two years. The property has been used as a dumping ground for construction debris, municipal waste, rotting deer carcasses, scrapped vehicles and thousands of waste tires — a fire hazard and breeding place for disease-carrying mosquitoes, the attorney general says.
Turick faces a hearing on the contempt charge today.
