PANORAMA CITY : Tanker-Truck Firm Owner Fined $15,000

The operator of a Panorama City tanker-truck company was ordered to pay $15,000 Wednesday after he pleaded no contest to charges he illegally transporting hazardous waste, authorities said.

The charges stem from three incidents where tanker trucks owned by Vladimir Gomelsky, 36, of Westlake Village, who operates American Oil Co., leaked combustible waste oil while traveling on East Los Angeles surface streets and freeways, said Dep. City Atty. Vincent B. Sato.

The first incident occurred on July 29 when a LAPD Hazardous Materials Unit officer stopped an American Oil tanker in the 1700 block of Soto Street and found that the driver did not have a proper transporter’s document for his hazardous load of ethylene glycol, or anti-freeze, Sato said.

The same tanker truck was stopped by a hazmat officer Sept. 9 and again on Sept. 19 when used motor oil was spotted leaking from a manhole and transfer pump, Sato said. The officer also found various safety defects including faulty brakes, improper transporter documents and placards on the truck, said Sato.

The American Oil Co. was operating two tanker trucks that bought used automotive oil filters and waste products, such as anti-freeze, from auto dealerships, garages and service stations. The materials were then sold to recyclers, according to Sato.

Gomelsky was placed on two years probation and will be required to attend a hazardous waste safety training course and to allow police and regulatory agencies to inspect his business at 14649 Lanark St. anytime during the business day, said Sato, who heads the city attorney’s office Environmental Protection Unit.