A California Metropolis council member is dealing with federal fees for allegedly arranging to have an SUV crammed with the chemical ingredient mercury moved with out correct precautions.
Federal authorities on Tuesday arrested Michael Kulikoff, 39, of California Metropolis, on an indictment for fees associated to improper transportation of hazardous waste and “inserting one other particular person in imminent hazard of loss of life or critical bodily damage.”
The allegations focus on a mercury publicity incident that occurred at a automotive wash Kulikoff owned. Kulikoff is the mayor professional tem of California Metropolis, situated about 100 miles north of Los Angeles.
Kulikoff, who was launched following his arrest, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
California Metropolis Mayor Marquette Hawkins issued a press release that stated the “well being and security of our residents is at all times our highest precedence, and we take these allegations with the utmost seriousness.”
Hawkins emphasised that “each particular person is presumed harmless till confirmed responsible in a courtroom of regulation.”
“We’re actively working to make sure that metropolis operations proceed with out disruption and that public belief stays sturdy all through this tough second,” Hawkins stated. “Any obligatory steps to safeguard the general public curiosity and preserve moral requirements will likely be taken in accordance with the regulation.”
In response to the indictment, in February 2024, Kulikoff realized that a person, recognized solely as “PERSON ONE,” had spilled a jar holding a number of ounces of mercury contained in the cabin of an SUV.
Also called quicksilver, mercury is a neurotoxin that may have an effect on the nervous system and kidneys, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. When metallic mercury is inhaled, it may end up in tremors, complications and neuromuscular adjustments.
After the spill, the indictment says, the SUV driver tried to make use of a vacuum cleaner at Kulikoff’s automotive wash to wash the spill.
The person then drove the SUV to their mom’s residence, close to a faculty bus cease, and known as 911 after experiencing signs of mercury publicity, in accordance with the indictment.
When metropolis emergency providers personnel responded and scanned the SUV, authorities stated they detected roughly 20 occasions the allowable restrict of mercury contained in the cabin. They put yellow warning tape across the car and shut down the automotive wash enterprise due to the contaminated vacuum cleaner.
In response to the indictment, Kulikoff tried to wash up the enterprise himself however was advised by emergency providers that he wanted to cease as a result of it was a hazardous supplies scene and was unsafe.
The subsequent day, prosecutors cost, Kulikoff returned to the scene and obtained a quote from an environmental providers firm to wash the mercury. He then allegedly despatched a video to his brother, then the mayor of California Metropolis, by Fb.
“So that they’re coning it off proper now and taping it, however that motherf— [is] going to drive it to Boron proper now,” Kulikoff advised his brother, in accordance with the indictment.
Later that day, courtroom papers say, emergency providers personnel left the SUV to answer a fireplace that turned out to be a false report. Once they returned, the SUV was gone.
Authorities say Kulikoff conspired with one other particular person to maneuver the contaminated SUV exterior of the town. He allegedly directed that particular person to drive the car to the Kern County city of Boron as a result of he wished it exterior the jurisdiction of California Metropolis.
Kern County emergency providers personnel discovered the SUV on the residence of the person who had moved it. The driving force, who just isn’t recognized or charged, additionally complained of signs tied to mercury publicity.
The environmental providers firm remediated the SUV and, whereas doing so, detected excessive ranges of mercury and recovered stable mercury, in accordance with the indictment.
If convicted, Kulikoff faces as much as 5 years in jail and a $250,000 high-quality for conspiracy to move hazardous waste and as much as 15 years in jail and a $50,000 high-quality per day for putting one other particular person in imminent hazard.
