A city councilmember from California City was arrested Tuesday on federal charges accusing him of conspiring to illegally transport hazardous waste and placing others at risk of death or serious injury, authorities said.

Michael Kulikoff, 39, faces charges of conspiring to transport hazardous waste without a manifest and causing the movement of the waste in a way that placed another person in imminent danger, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

According to court documents, Kulikoff, who also owns a car wash, learned on Feb. 25 that several ounces of mercury had been spilled inside a sport utility vehicle at his business. The individual responsible reportedly tried to clean the toxic substance with a vacuum cleaner before driving the contaminated SUV to a residence and calling 911 after experiencing mercury-related symptoms.

Emergency personnel in California City responded, found mercury levels inside the SUV at 20 times the allowable limit, and cordoned off the vehicle with caution tape. They also ordered Kulikoff to stop attempting to clean the car wash, deeming it a hazardous materials site.

Authorities allege that early the next morning, Kulikoff conspired with another individual to move the contaminated SUV out of California City’s jurisdiction. He reportedly directed the person to drive the SUV to Boron to avoid local scrutiny.

Emergency crews briefly left the scene to respond to a false fire report, during which the SUV disappeared. It was later discovered by Kern County personnel at the second individual’s residence, where that person also reported symptoms of mercury exposure.

If convicted, Kulikoff faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy charge, and up to 15 years in prison and a $50,000 daily fine for placing another person in imminent danger, prosecutors said.

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