NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Letitia James, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), has secured a $100,000 penalty against serial polluter Salvatore Cascino and his company Ten Mile River, LLC, for repeated illegal dumping on environmentally sensitive land in Dutchess County.
A Long History of Environmental Violations
Salvatore Cascino, a former Bronx businessman with a well-documented history of environmental infractions, used his property along the Ten Mile River to dump waste—including in areas protected by New York’s Freshwater Wetlands Act. This illegal activity threatened crucial wetland ecosystems, which serve as natural flood barriers and vital habitats for local wildlife.
In 2019, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and DEC sued Cascino for multiple violations of state environmental laws. The resulting court-approved settlement required him to develop and execute a cleanup and restoration plan for the affected area.
Despite this legal agreement, a DEC inspection in 2024 revealed that Cascino had failed to fulfill any of the cleanup obligations outlined in the 2022-approved remediation plan. The waste remained, the wetlands were still degraded, and no restoration efforts had been made.
Legal Action Reignited in 2024
The lack of compliance triggered further legal action. In response to the 2024 inspection, the Attorney General’s Office issued a formal violation notice and demanded immediate cleanup under DEC supervision. Cascino’s continued noncompliance led to a new legal agreement aimed at enforcing the original terms with more severe penalties for any future violations.
On the order of Dutchess County Supreme Court Judge Christi Acker, Cascino is now required to:
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Fully clean up the illegal landfill site;
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Restore the damaged wetlands under the oversight of DEC;
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Pay $100,000 in penalties;
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And face an additional $99,200 penalty if he fails to complete the required work within the agreed timeframe.
Statement from Attorney General Letitia James
“Salvatore Cascino and his company broke the law and harmed some of our state’s most valuable natural areas,” said Attorney General James. “After years of profiting off illegal dumping and abuse of natural resources, today, we are holding him accountable. I am grateful to Commissioner Lefton and DEC for their collaboration, and together, we will continue to champion environmental protection and safeguard New York’s natural resources.”
Statement from DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton
“Illegal dumping in wetland areas can damage the environment long after the dumping occurs,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “DEC’s thorough investigation and the joint enforcement action with Attorney General James resulted in holding this repeat violator accountable and sends a strong message that New York State’s natural spaces are not a dumping ground for illegal waste disposal.”
The Importance of Wetland Protections
Wetlands play a critical role in New York’s natural infrastructure. They help control flooding, purify water, and provide essential habitat for birds, amphibians, and other wildlife. To protect these ecosystems, New York’s Freshwater Wetlands Act strictly prohibits disturbing wetland areas and surrounding “buffer” zones without prior approval. Activities such as clearing vegetation, adding fill materials, or constructing commercial facilities require specific permits issued by DEC.
By ignoring these regulations, Cascino not only violated state law but also endangered an irreplaceable part of the region’s environment.
The Settlement Terms and Conditions
The 2019 lawsuit brought by OAG resulted in a settlement that initially required Cascino to:
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Remove all illegally dumped materials from the wetland area;
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Cap any remaining waste with a protective cover;
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Replant the area with native wetland vegetation to support restoration.
Although the cleanup plan received approval in 2022, the 2024 inspection revealed that the restoration effort had not progressed. The new agreement reached in June 2025 strengthens enforcement and financial accountability. Under this order, Cascino and Ten Mile River, LLC are subject to close monitoring by the DEC, and failure to meet the cleanup deadlines could lead to nearly $200,000 in total penalties.
Legal and Bureaucratic Oversight
This matter was handled by Senior Enforcement Counsel Andrew J. Gershon and Assistant Attorney General Max Shterngel under the supervision of Lemuel Srolovic, Chief of the Environmental Protection Bureau. The Bureau is part of the Division for Social Justice, led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
A Warning to Polluters
The case of Salvatore Cascino serves as a reminder to businesses and landowners across the state that environmental violations will not be overlooked. With legal mechanisms in place and the combined efforts of OAG and DEC, New York State is intensifying its commitment to preserving its natural landscapes.
This ruling not only holds a repeat offender accountable but also reinforces the message that protecting wetlands and wildlife habitats is a legal obligation—not an option.
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