Dennis Farrell, former president of Freedom Industries, heads into the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse, in Charleston, Thursday afternoon, accompanied by his wife, Kathy. Farrell was sentenced to 30 days in jail, six months probation and a $20,000 fine for his role in the January 2014 Freedom chemical spill into the Elk River.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Dennis Farrell, the longtime president and owner of Freedom Industries, was sentenced Thursday to serve 30 days in jail for his role in water pollution crimes that led to the January 2014 chemical spill that contaminated drinking-water supplies for hundreds of thousands of residents in Charleston and surrounding communities.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston also ordered Farrell to pay a $20,000 fine and to serve six months on probation.
Farrell is the first of six former Freedom owners and officials who pleaded guilty to spill-related crimes to receive any jail time from Johnston.
“I’m truly sorry for what happened…
