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04/30/2005: Down in the Dumps?....
This "Only in Chicago" story from last year: Dave Matthews Band Dumps A Load Of Crap has a partial resolution in this article: Matthews band dumps cash into settlement by Steve Patterson (Chicago Sun Times Staff Reporter)”A guilty plea and $100,000 in donations are setting the stage for a settlement of a lawsuit against the Dave Matthews Band, alleging environmental violations.
In Cook County Circuit Court on Monday, the Illinois attorney general's office said it has agreed in principle to a settlement with the band, whose tour bus driver admitted dumping 800 pounds of human waste from the bus into the Chicago River in August. A tour boat was passing under the Kinzie Street bridge just as Stefan Wohl released the waste from a reservoir tank, drenching passengers.
Attorneys for the band and the state wouldn't give specifics, but the state had asked for fines of up to $60,000. The agreement is set to be presented in court April 29.
After the incident, Wohl initially denied involvement but video cameras captured the incident, while witnesses reported seeing the bus involved also parked at the Peninsula Hotel, where the band stayed during its 2004 tour.
Since then, the band donated $50,000 to the Friends of the Chicago River and to the Chicago Park District. Wohl -- no longer driving the band -- pleaded guilty last month and was sentenced to probation and community service.
A suit filed against the band by owners of the tour boat -- Chicago's Little Lady -- is still pending, seeking in excess of $5 million.”
Karen on 04.30.05 @ 09:54 AM CST
