The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted California City Councilmember Michael Kulikoff, 39, with conspiring to transport hazardous waste without a manifest and placing another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.
Kulikoff’s arrest and indictment were announced on April 29. You can read the DOJ’s press release here. The following is an excerpt:
On Feb. 25, 2024, Kulikoff learned that a mercury exposure incident had occurred at his car wash. An individual had spilled a jar containing several ounces of mercury inside the cabin of a sports utility vehicle and had attempted to clean up the mercury using a vacuum cleaner. The individual then drove the contaminated SUV to a residence in California City, where he called 911 because he was experiencing symptoms related to mercury exposure.
California City emergency services personnel responded to the scene and scanned the SUV for mercury. They detected approximately 20 times the allowable limit of mercury inside the SUV’s cabin and put yellow caution tape around the SUV to deny entry to it. They also shut down the car wash business. Kulikoff attempted to clean up the business himself but was told by the emergency services personnel that he had to stop because it was a hazardous materials scene and was unsafe.
Early the following morning, Kulikoff conspired with another person to move the contaminated SUV outside of city limits. He directed the other person to drive the contaminated SUV from California City to Boron because the SUV was causing problems for Kulikoff in California City, and he wanted the SUV to be outside the jurisdiction of California City emergency services personnel. Emergency services personnel left the location of the contaminated SUV scene to respond to a report of a fire that turned out to be a false report. When they returned to the scene, the contaminated SUV was gone. A couple of hours later, Kern County emergency services personnel found the contaminated SUV at the residence of the individual who had moved the vehicle at Kulikoff’s direction. That individual also complained of symptoms related to mercury exposure.
At one point during the ordeal, Kulikoff allegedly sent a video message to his brother Kelly Kulikoff, who served as Mayor of California City at the time.
“So they’re coning it off right now and taping it, but that motherf— [is] going to drive it to Boron right now,” Michael told Kelly, according to the indictment.
In response to the indictment, current California City Mayor Marquette Hawkins said officials “are actively working to ensure that city operations continue without disruption and that public trust remains strong throughout this difficult moment.” He added that “any necessary steps to safeguard the public interest and maintain ethical standards will be taken in accordance with the law.”
If convicted, Michael Kulikoff could face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to transport hazardous waste and up to 15 years in prison for placing another person at risk of death or injury. He could also face fines of up to $250,000 for conspiring to transport the material and $50,000 per day for placing a person in imminent danger.