Austin Master Services contempt of court case concerning radioactive waste in Belmont County begins

BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO (WTRF) – Day one of the contempt of court hearing of Austin Master Services, or AMS, has wrapped up, without any completion.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost brought civil charges against the company allegedly storing radioactive and fracking waste in its Martins Ferry facility beyond the permitted limit.

Recently he added the company’s owner, Brad Domitrovitsch, and its parent company, American Environmental Partners, as defendants.

On Monday, one witness, Justin Moore, took the stand.

His company, Select Water Solutions, was in talks with AMS and with Brad Domitrovitsch himself. Select was going to take over the cleanup, and eventually take over the operation. Moore said the deal fell apart when they were not able to agree on the numbers.

One environmental advocacy group was in the courtroom.

“We need to protect the water source. We need to protect the future. We need to protect public health. The State of Ohio needs to be very firm with that stance. They need to be on the same side as the City of Martins Ferry. The City of Martins Ferry doesn’t want an oil and gas facility in their source water protection area.”

Beverly Reed, Concerned Ohio River Residents

The case is being heard by Belmont County Common Pleas Judge John Vavra.

The state has one more witness to present, and proceedings will resume at 9:00am on Tuesday.

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