Police plan to file complaint over spills

NEWPORT BEACH-- The Police Department is planning to file a civil

complaint against Newport Brewing Co., alleging that the restaurant twice

spilled antifreeze into the bay.

Sgt. Michael McDermott said on Aug. 5 and again Aug 9. the company

accidentally spilled at least 50 gallons of antifreeze, which ran into a

storm drain that empties into Newport Bay.

“The spills are in violation of environmental laws and as soon as we get

the cost of the cleanup, we’ll request that the district attorney file

the suits,” McDermott said.

Newport Brewing Co. Operations Manager Shawn Needelman said he was caught

off guard by the action.

“I had no knowledge that they were filing a suit,” Needelman said. “I was

aware of the spill and know it has the potential to become a problem.”

Needelman scoffed at the idea that more than 100 gallons were spilled.

“That can’t be true because we only had 65 gallons to begin with and

after the spill there was still 20 gallons remaining,” he said.

McDermott said authorities are awaiting expense reports from

organizations involved in the cleanup before making a recommendation to

the district attorney on the amount of any civil complaint.-- Stacy Brown