Firm blames disgruntled ex-employee for waste dumping video in Northern Nevada

YERINGTON — A Northern Nevada metal foundry is blaming a disgruntled ex-employee for a video that appears to show company waste being dumped from barrels onto the ground.

Production Pattern and Foundry accounts chief Gillian Pallesen issued a statement that denies directing or allowing employees to “illegally or irresponsibly” dispose of production waste.

Pallesen said one man in the video is a former company employee whose departure was unrelated to the video.

The statement says the Lyon County company is cooperating with a federal Environmental Protection Agency investigation.

State Environmental Protection Division chief Leo Drozdoff said last week his agency launched a probe after viewing the video on the Internet.

The company, in Mound House, just east of Carson City, specializes in aluminum alloy castings.

It employs nearly 200 people.