BIC to Shut Down Private Hauler Amid Allegations of Murder Cover-up

New York City’s Business Integrity Commission (BIC) on June 12 unanimously voted to revoke the license of Staten Island-based private trash hauler Flag Container Service Inc. amid allegations that owner William Formica covered up a murder.

During the hearing, BIC ruled that Formica lied during the license renewal process, the Daily News reports. BIC noted that the company and Formica lack “good character, honesty and integrity,” according to the report. The cancelation of Flag Container’s license is expected to take effect June 26.

Formica was indicted for using dumpsters and a waste transfer station to dispose of evidence in the disappearance and murder of Michael Stewart, a Staten Island father. The indictment allegedly follows a long history of worker deaths, safety violations and slow adoption of environmental and street safety programs at Flag Container Service and at Formica’s construction company.

Formica was arrested in January and charged with evidence tampering, hindering the prosecution and running a criminal nuisance. He was released on $75,000 bond after pleading not guilty, according to reports.

New York Daily News has more information:

One of Staten Island’s biggest private trash haulers and an affiliated construction company will be shut down by the end of June after the city revoked credentials they need to do business.

The city’s Business Integrity Commission, which regulates the private carting industry, voted unanimously not to renew the license for Flag Container Services or the registration for Formica Construction, ruling that William Formica lied during the renewal process. The revocation is expected to go into effect June 26.

In January, Formica, one of the principals of the company, was arrested and charged with covering up the murder of a construction worker in 2018.

Read the full article here.