Annapolis (June 2, 2008) - County Executive John R. Leopold today released the following statement in response to the settlement reached by Anne Arundel County and the Maryland Department of the Environment against Baltimore District Court Judge Askew Gatewood: "This settlement proves that the law humbles everyone, including judges," County Executive Leopold said. "This is the most egregious violation of environmental laws in the county. I am pleased that the environment will benefit by the required clean-up of the property. The Maryland Department of the Environment and the County Department of Inspections and Permits must jointly approve Judge Gatewood’s clean up plan. It is my hope that the property will be cleaned up expeditiously. The settlement provides the stiffest civil fine county law allows. This underscores the need to strengthen the county ordinances with a higher fine." Gatewood settled the case after being accused of illegal dumping of construction debris into the Chesapeake Bay from his shoreline home. | 
