WARREN, Mich. – Two business owners have been sentenced in connection with a toxic spill that turned a Macomb County creek bright blue.
Officials said hazardous waste violations caused Bear Creek in Warren to burn blue around Feb. 6, 2024.
On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Saad Somo, a 50-year-old man from Washington Township, and Marvan Talal-Razooqi Batoo, a 40-year-old man from Shelby Township, pleaded no contest in Warren’s 37th District Court to the following charges:
- Hazardous waste - Operating a facility without a license, a one-year misdemeanor
- Hazardous waste - Generator and facility operator records, a one-year misdemeanor
- Liquid industrial waste – General violations, a six-month misdemeanor
- Attempt water resources protection violation, a one-year misdemeanor
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources agreed with the final plea offer only after the men cooperated with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Environmental Protection Agency in rectifying the spill.
Their cooperation required Somo and Batoo to pay over $172,000 in remediation costs, thereby saving taxpayer dollars on cleanup.
As a result of their cooperation, an earlier charge of Water Resources Protection Violation, a two-year felony, against each man was dismissed after the Attempt Water Resources Protection Violation charge was added.
On the same day of the plea, the men were sentenced to pay fines, costs, and a special assessment totaling $3,500.
The People, represented by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Lozen, argued both men should receive probation.
The pleas are the result of an investigation initiated after Bear Creek in Warren turned a bright fluorescent green/blue on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.
The source of the contamination was found to be a former metal finishing commercial building in Warren owned by Somo and Batoo.
The building was not heated, resulting in frozen water lines breaking and stored chemicals being spilled.
Somo and Batoo disposed of the chemicals through a storm drain.