American Distillation’s River Deal | Durham News

American Distillation got caught dumping toxic chemicals into the Cape Fear River for years, pleading guilty in December 2025 and facing a potential $500,000 fine plus a cleanup plan. But when the company claimed it couldn’t afford either, their lawyer dropped a bombshell in August. Instead of the full penalty, Judge Louise Flanagan gave them 90 days to draft an environmental compliance plan and hire a consultant—or face a $100,000 penalty. They also got five years probation. The company’s owner, 83-year-old Andrew Simmons Jr., also saw his prison sentence for tax evasion delayed until October 13th—another brush with legal trouble, following similar convictions from his past company, High Rise Services. With nearly a million people relying on the Cape Fear River for water, and the EPA already flagging American Distillation for hazardous waste violations for years, this latest pollution adds to a long, toxic history.

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