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Aquilinis will wait for court date

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The pump was installed in May 2009.

Members of the Aquilini family will wait until it sees the paperwork before making any decisions on the environmental charges filed against them in Port Coquitlam provincial court, spokesman John Negrin said Thursday.

He was commenting after Francesco, Paulo, Elisa and Roberto Aquilini, along with Richard Matis, were charged in February with 11 counts under the Water Act, the Fisheries Act and the Dike Maintenance Act, in connection with the installation of an irrigation pipe in the North Alouette River in May 2009.

Six numbered companies, along with CPI-Cranberry Plantation and Global Coin Inc., were also charged.

“We’ve been cooperating from Day 1 with the ministry, as well as with the conservation officers. We’re looking forward to working for a resolution based on the facts.”

Negrin said his Vancouver office hasn’t received the information explaining the charges. That will happen March 17, the date of the first court appearance in Port Coquitlam.

Penalties under the Water Act can range from fines of up to $200,000, or six months in jail, or up to $200,000 daily for continuing offences.

Francesco Aquilini heads the Aquilini Investment Group, which also owns the Vancouver Canucks.

Golden Eagle Group, part of the Aquilini Investment Group, operates almost 5,000 acres of berry farms in Pitt Meadows.