The investigation into illegal dumping by a bus chartered by the Democratic National Committee remains open, officials said Monday.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division is investigating the incident, which happened last week in Lawrenceville. An EPD spokesman said Monday that his agency is continuing to investigate and "still trying to confirm some information."

The incident in question happened Oct. 18 and involved a "Forward Together" bus that was kicking off a nationwide, pro-Hillary Clinton tour with stops in Lawrenceville, Atlanta and Macon. Witnesses told police they saw the bus stop outside an auto parts store on Grayson Highway before someone got out and dumped "its sewage into the storm drain."

The Lawrenceville police officer that responded to the scene reported "a large amount of drying toilet paper and a foul smell."

Gwinnett County fire hazmat crews responded to the scene before the EPD took over the investigation.

Bert Langley, the EPD's director of compliance, previously told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the agency knows little at this point — but the DNC is unlikely to be held responsible.

"Assuming the situation is that they pulled up and the charter operator decided this was a good place to empty the holding tank," Langley said, "any action we would take would be against the charter company."

Such "action" would typically include help with cleanup and a monetary settlement.

Officials have not released the name of the charter company. A possible timeframe for the investigation's completion was not clear.

About the Author