DNC bus dumps raw sewage in Georgia, calls it 'honest mistake'

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities are investigating whether a Democratic Party campaign bus illegally dumped raw sewage in Gwinnett County, Georgia, on Tuesday morning.

According to the police report, authorities were called to the O’Reilly Auto Parts on Grayson Highway after reports that an RV was dumping its sewage into a storm drain.

A store employee told police that he watched an RV affiliated with the Democratic National Committee stop in the turn lane of Grayson Highway in front of the store.

The employee says he watched someone get out of the RV and open the sewage drain. Raw sewage then spilled onto the roadway and into the storm drain.

“They pulled the bus up right here. They stopped right here at this storm drain,” said Mike Robins.

Robins snapped several photos of the bus that he shared with WSB-TV.

“I was like, ‘What the heck? Are you kidding me?’” he said. “I couldn’t believe it.

The responding officer wrote in the police report that there was a large amount of drying toilet paper and a foul smell where the RV had parked.

“(There were here) about five minutes or so, something like that. It wasn’t very long,” witness David Frost said.

The Gwinnett County Fire hazmat units were called to the scene and cleaned up the spill.

“It’s one thing if you get some jackleg coming through in an old RV. But to see a campaign bus with people’s pictures and names all over it stop and do it,” Robins said.

A DNC spokesperson sent WSB-TV the following statement:

"This was an honest mistake and we apologize to the Lawrenceville community for any harm we may have caused. We were unaware of any possible violations and have already taken corrective action with the charter bus company to prevent this from happening again. Furthermore, the DNC will work with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, as well as local and state officials to determine the best course of corrective action."

Lawrenceville police say they reported what they believe is an illegal spill to county authorities.

The State Environmental Protection Division said that investigators are looking into the incident and have the police report and pictures.

As of Tuesday evening, no action is being taken against the driver. Authorities say it’s too early to tell what potential fines or penalties might be considered.

Cox Media Group