The owner of a restaurant near Palmerton was charged earlier this year by the state for illegally disposing of waste.

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane in October filed criminal charges against Ron Gilbert, owner of the Covered Bridge Inn in Little Gap, and Gilbert Green, for illegally disposing of waste between March 2014 through January of this year.Gilbert, 76, of 120 Whispering Wood Drive, and Green, 68, of 4170 Hahns Dairy Road, Palmerton, were charged with one count each of unlawful conduct, prohibition against other pollution, pollution of waters and sewage discharges.According to a criminal complaint, Gilbert enlisted Green to pump waste from the septic tank at his restaurant into a nearby storm drain. Green, who served as a handyman for the business, assisted in the disposal process, investigators say.A state police trooper reported witnessing the illegal disposal of waste.Gilbert purchased the restaurant in 2002. In late 2012, an expanded kitchen area and Pizza To Go were added as part of a 60-by-20-foot addition at the restaurant, located at 4300 Little Gap Road.Caron Associates LLC at 120 Whispering Wood Drive, Palmerton, purchased the Covered Bridge Inn on April 18, 2003.