Sunland Man Ordered to Clean Tainted Soil
A Sunland man on whose property police found what they thought was an illegal methamphetamine laboratory has been ordered by a Van Nuys judge to clean up toxic chemicals in the soil.
Although Los Angeles police now say they do not believe the site was being used to manufacture illegal drugs, authorities say they are certain that it is tainted by toxic substances that must be cleaned up.
Dean Klingerman, who has not been charged in connection with manufacture of illegal drugs, has until Friday to clean up the property, in the 11060 block of McBroom Street, or face misdemeanor charges of health and safety violations. Klingerman, who is acting as his own attorney, told Municipal Judge John Lander on Friday that he has already hired a firm to clean the soil.
Police began investigating the property Sept. 26 after neighbors complained that chemical odors were coming from one of two trailers on the property, Deputy City Atty. Don Cocek said.
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