2 Fairfield town officials, contractor accused in illegal dumping scheme

A two-year investigation yielded three arrests, including two Fairfield town employees, who were allegedly involved in an illegal dumping scheme.

Since 2017, police have been investigating contamination discovered at the Department of Public Works site at Richard White Way that Julian Enterprises was managing.

James Julian, owner of Julian Enterprises, was arraigned Wednesday, along with DPW Superintendent Scott Bartlett in Bridgeport Superior Court. Public Works Director Joseph Michelangelo will be arraigned Thursday.

Police say the three are facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit various environmental crimes.

First Selectman Michael Tetreau says a test that revealed contaminated soil in 2016 launched the investigation.

According to the arrest warrants, Julian Enterprises was illegally dumping waste at the public works site. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says the town does not have a permit to dump hazardous waste.

Tetreau says Julian refused to pay for the waste cleanup and the town wants their money back.

Arrest warrants say Julian was awarded the job by a flawed bid from Bartlett and Michelangelo in 2013. They accuse the two of misappropriation of town funds and filing false financial documents.

Bartlett and Michelangelo have been placed on administrative leave.

Both Bartlett and Julian asked for their cases to be continued Sept. 18. Michelangelo will be arraigned Thursday.