Dave Matthews Driver Charged with Waste Dump

The city of Chicago has charged the driver of a Dave Matthews Band tour bus with dumping 800 pounds of human waste into the Chicago River and onto the passengers of a tour boat in August 2004.

The driver, Stefan Wohl, turned himself into authorities and was released. The charges of misdemeanor reckless conduct and discharging contaminates to cause water pollution carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $10,000 fine.

A statement from the Dave Matthews Band described the incident as "awful" and "against so many principles we hold dear: environmentalism, accountability, and, mostly, principles of humanity," according to reports. The band also vowed to contribute $50,000 to the Chicago Park District and Friends of the Chicago River.

The band has also been hit with a $70,000 lawsuit from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan for violating state environmental laws.