NEW BERN, N.C. (AP) — Authorities say the owner of a Columbus County hog farm faces up to a year in prison after he pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the Clean Water Act for discharging hog waste directly into a stream that leads to the Waccamaw River.
Federal authorities say Freedman Farms Inc. pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony violation after a week-long trial that began June 28th. Company President William Freedman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violation for his role in the December 2007 discharge into Browder's Branch.
The plea agreement calls for Freedman Farms to pay $1.5 million and publish a public apology as well as five years' probation. Freedman could be sentenced to prison. The court must agree to accept the agreement and schedule a sentencing hearing.
