The company headed by Kester Uzochukwu was emptying trash bins for the city in 1997, allowing workers to take loads to the Deans Bridge Road landfill free of charge. In 2001, it submitted bids topping $6 million to win the majority of the city's collection routes when garbage service was expanded to 23,000 residential customers.

Meanwhile, the company did other business with private customers and a few state facilities. Mr. Uzochukwu used his Richmond County landfill exemption to avoid tipping fees by passing off private trash as the city's, says the indictment. The time frame runs from Feb. 3, 1997, to Nov. 16, 2001 - three days before Mr. Uzochukwu's arrest.

On Tuesday, a grand jury indicted him on one count of felony theft of services. If convicted, he would face up to 10 years in prison or on probation.

"We ought to hold Mr. Uzochukwu's bond company (which insures the city against breaches of contract) responsible for the revenue we've lost," Mayor Bob Young said.

District Attorney Danny Craig would not say how much money is estimated to have been lost in landfill fees, nor would he say where the outside trash came from.

After Mr. Uzochukwu's arrest, Sheriff Ronnie Strength said investigators caught the hauler dumping trash on the city account that came from Gracewood State School and Hospital, Augusta Regional Youth Detention Center, Dollar Tree and AAA Gun & Pawn Brokers.

The investigation of CSRA Waste began last year after The Augusta Chronicle revealed its reporters had seen the company's workers dumping recyclables in with household trash, a violation of the company's contract with the city.

CSRA Waste's attorney, Edward Tarver, has raised questions about how authorities were tipped off to possible illegal practices by the company, because the information turned over to the sheriff's office by Mr. Young originated from William Polonus, one of his campaign contributors and the owner of competing trash company Augusta Disposal & Recycling.

"Mr. Uzochukwu denies the charges. We regret that the district attorney saw fit to go forward," Mr. Tarver said Tuesday.

Augusta's garbage service will be expanded in 2002, this time into more neighborhoods in south Augusta. Mr. Tarver said in a letter that CSRA Waste would be bidding, but city Public Works Director Teresa Smith said she does not recall the company's having a representative present at a pre-bid meeting Jan. 7, which was mandatory for a company to be considered when bids are unsealed Thursday.

Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225.