Long Island Man Accused In Illegal Dumping Case Faces Tax Evasion Charges

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island man accused in a toxic dumping scandal in the Town of Islip is now facing new charges of tax evasion.

Christopher Grabe, 37, of Coram is accused of not paying $29,000 dollars in state income taxes after failing to report nearly $500,000 dollars in wages for three years,WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.

Grabe only smiled and said "good morning" when he walked out of the courtroom Wednesday after being released on his own recognizance.

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"My client maintains his innocence, he asserts that it's a misunderstanding that's going to sort itself out," attorney Alia Richards. "When the facts are all laid out on the table we believe it's going to sort itself out."

A few months ago, the district attorney said Grabe along with others from the Datre Companies dumped toxic waste at several sites in the Town of Islip, including a housing development for returning military veterans.

Prosecutors began investigating in 2013 after investigators discovered about 50,000 tons of debris laced with asbestos, pesticides and other material at Islip-owned Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood.