San Diego

Two executives from a metals company and the firm itself pleaded innocent Tuesday to charges that they unlawfully dumped cyanide, metal sludge, acid and other materials into a public sewer and a dumpster.

Superplating Inc. was represented by attorney John Reaves, who asked San Diego Municipal Court Judge Charles Hayes to appoint him as the attorney because the firm couldn’t afford one.

Hayes denied the request but set a hearing for Friday to determine if it is possible to appoint an attorney for a company. Reaves said the firm is insolvent, noting that their landlord recently filed an unlawful detainer suit against them to collect the rent.

A preliminary hearing on Dec. 2 was set for Sandra Lazovich, the chief executive officer, and Thomas Nerat, the secretary and chief financial officer.

The charges allege that the hazardous wastes were illegally stored on the property at 106 Martin Luther King Way from August, 1985, until April. The other substances allegedly deposited in the ground were copper, lead, nickel and other corrosive materials.

The executives were allowed to remain free on their own recognizance.