Illegal dump owner yet to clean up his act

by Krystal Paco

Guam - Joseph Taitano and wife Rosalind Castro were no-shows at Wednesday's pre-trial conference for operating a massive illegal dump on their property in Yigo.

Despite their absence, Judge Arthur Barcinas denied their motion to be recused with claims that Guam EPA failed to file properly.

Guam EPA spokesperson Tammy Jo Anderson Taft tells KUAM the couple continue to dodge responsibility for their actions evident by a recent attempt to transfer the ownership of the property to their daughter.

Barcinas has postponed the trial date requesting both parties meet with a settlement judge first.

As we've been reporting, it's been over a decade since the Guam EPA issued their first notice of violation to Taitano and his wife.

Taft says the ultimate goal is to clean up the site as it sits just above the island's northern aquifer where the island gets 80% of its drinking water.

A status hearing is set for October 4th at 11 a.m.