BA/mossbg.pr                      Contact: David Weaver, 301-217-6530 or
                                    Chris Malone, 301-217-2600


COURT AWARDS COUNTY
$3 MILLION +
IN MOSSBURG CASE                       For Immediate Release: August 20, 1996

     Montgomery County's legal battle against William H. Mossburg, Jr. for
cleanup efforts associated with a 1994 fire at Travilah Recovery, Inc.,
resulted in victory today when Circuit Court Judge Roslyn Bell awarded the
County more than $3.3 million, including interest and penalties through August
1996.
     The default judgment issued by Judge Bell stated that Mossburg is liable
to the County for "solid waste disposal charges" in a sum .in the amount of
$2,576,127, plus interest and penalties."  A default judgment was handed down
on liability when Mossburg and his attorneys failed to provide the documents
and information that were necessary under the Rules of Court Procedure and
Court orders to be provided to County Attorneys.
     The judge's ruling means that there will be no trial on damages or
liability.
     County Executive Douglas M. Duncan said, "Mr. Mossburg, who for years
blatantly thumbed his nose at the Courts and the County taxpayers, is now
being ordered to pay for his irresponsible actions."
     In late October 1994, a fire broke out at the Mossburg-owned property on
Travilah Road in North Potomac.  County fire and rescue officials intervened
in helping to extinguish the fire in a pile of mixed solid waste.  At the 
                                  -more-

COURT AWARDS COUNTY .MOSSBURG                                2-2-2-2

time, the County asked Mossburg to remove a minimum of 400 cubic yards of
solid waste each day.
     Mossburg failed to comply with the order and requested the County's help
in removing the debris, consisting of wood chips and shredded pallets.  The 
County agreed, but informed Mossburg that he would be billed for solid waste
disposal charges.
     During the fire, which burned until mid-December, the County removed
more than 41,500 tons of solid waste and 3,800 tons of solid waste yard trim
from the property.  The County then billed Mossburg for removal and disposal
of the solid waste at $59 per ton, for a total of $2,450,034 and of the yard
trim at $33 per ton, for a total of $126,093.     
     Currently, the County also has three pending cases related to personal
proerty taxes owed by Mossburg.
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