Brooklyn Cherry Factory to Plead Guilty to Drug, Environmental Charges

A Brooklyn cherry factory whose owner committed suicide as authorities searched the premises earlier this year is expected to plead guilty to charges of possessing marijuana and dumping untreated wastewater into the sewer system.

The New York Times says Dell's Maraschino Cherries will enter the plea on Tuesday. It says the company also will pay a $1.2 million settlement.

The family-run 70-year-old company will be allowed to continue to operate.

The company's owner, Arthur Mondella, killed himself inside the building in February as authorities were searching the premises for possible environmental crimes.

Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson said the agreement holds Dell's accountable for its unlawful conduct and ensures the plant won't be used for other illegal operations.

The company's lawyer says Dell's appreciates that the district attorney's office hadn't treated the business as harshly as it could.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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