Jury convicts NZ company of dumping oil waste

(AP) A federal jury has convicted a New Zealand fishing company of dumping oil waste into U.S. waters outside American Samoa, and falsifying records.

The jury also convicted one of the company's employees of falsifying records.

Sanford Ltd., of Auckland, New Zealand, faces fines of up to $3 million.

Prosecutors said Sanford violated U.S. law by dumping oil waste into the water without using pollution prevention equipment. They also said the company covered this up by falsely claiming such equipment had been used.

The oil waste, known as bilge waste, can be contaminated with oil, lubrication fluids and other liquids that leak from the ship's engines or pipes and hoses.