Authorities Say NJ Recycling Company May Have Ties To Organized Crime

PALMYRA, NJ (CBS) – An abandoned recycling yard is right next to the creek that feeds into the Delaware River. It was supposed to receive grass clippings and branches after thunderstorms.

Instead investigators say the owner had ties to multiple mob families, and was not only receiving contaminated dirt, it was reselling it in mulch and topsoil that could be anywhere now.

The Pennsauken Creek has unfortunately been a victim of contamination. Pictures from a state investigation of the former New Jersey Recycling Service next to the creek in Palmyra show the damage done.

It was shut down in 2013 on allegations of illegal dumping that authorities say has connections to the mob.

"We discovered at the Jersey Recycling site, and other sites around the state, that people with criminal backgrounds and connections to criminal operations are running these places," said Andrew Cliver, a counsel to the NJ State Commission of Investigation.

In the 1960's the state commission of investigation began an investigating into mob ties to trash collection. They say since recycling operations don't require the same background checks as trash dumps, illegal dumpers have a new racket.

"There is a lack of regulation here in New Jersey to monitor those who enter in to the recycling industry," Cliver said.

The commission found Jersey Recycling was licensed to receive small amounts of yard debris, but went almost 20 times over their limit and took in construction waste full of carcinogens.

Authorities say this check to Jersey Recycling for $50,000 is from a shell corporation known to be connected to the Bonanno crime family.

Owner Brad Sirkin has ties to the Philly mobster Joseph Merlino.

"Bradley Sirkin, who is related to a capo in the Lucchese crime family, is also a convicted felon. In fact, by Merlino's own admission in his memorandum of law, Merlino met Sirkin in a federal halfway house," said a document that resurfaced when Merlino faced having his probation revoked.

To make matters worse, authorities say Jersey Recycling likely sold contaminated mulch and topsoil to local landscapers.

"You know there is a real risk when a site like this, that has a mulching operation, is also recklessly accepting contaminants. That stuff could end up in someone's flower bed," said

The owner of Jersey Recycling services has not been charged and even after almost 3 years of investigation by the Department of Environmental Protection hasn't received any fines, charges and fines are both still on the table.

His lawyer sent the state a letter this month pleading the fifth.