(Sioux City, IA) — A judge is ordering a Sergeant Bluff man to pay an 80-thousand-dollar penalty for burning thousands of railroad ties on his property. State regulators had warned John Goldsmith against doing so. He was also given a permanent injunction from violating solid waste and opening burning laws. Judge Duane Hoffmeyer warned Goldsmith that he could face contempt charges and possible jail time if he disobeys the order. The ruling said, “Goldsmith financially benefited greatly by this fire taking place… and took little action to have it put out.” Goldsmith was accused of violating D-N-R guidelines in August of 2018 and did more burning September 30th. The D-N-R and Iowa Attorney General’s Office sued Goldsmith in 2020.
