Polluter to pay $1.5 million to state

Hartford (WTNH) - A Branford company accused of dumping industrial pollutants into the Branford River has agreed to spend $900,000 to clean up their abandoned site and has to pay $1.5 million in penalties to the state of Connecticut.

The state attorney general says Atlantic Wire dumped toxins into the Branford River 21 times between December 2005 and January 2008.

"Atlantic Wire inexcusably allowed toxic waste water to flow into the Branford River not once, but an incredible 21 times, causing a massive crab kill. The company's defiant violation of the law meant dead marine life and a damaged river," Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said.

Atlantic Wire ceased operations in September and is in Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy.