He recently objected to the closure of several Flats establishments by the city. Rothenberg said Cimperman's statement amounted to pure politics. He said there was no relevant comparison between the city's actions in the Flats and enforcement of air pollution laws. The OEPA has authority over the air. If local inspectors find a violation of clean air laws, the city sends a warning letter.
Alleged violators have a time limit to fix the problem.
The state, Harrison said, decides what happens next. The OEPA eventually can impose fines and other penalties or refer cases to the Ohio attorney general for possible criminal or civil prosecution. Both Harrison and Rothenberg said the potential fines imposed by the OEPA are far higher than even those proposed by Cimperman.