Walter F. Essinger, 72, of Santa Clarita was indicted by the Ventura County criminal grand jury on five felony counts of unlawful disposal of hazardous waste.

The charge arises from the defendant's abandonment of chemicals when he vacated offices he had leased at a Simi Valley industrial park. The indictment alleges that Essinger unlawfully disposed of phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, potassium hydroxide and acetone.

During his arraignment on Aug. 2, Essinger pleaded not guilty to all counts. He is scheduled for a pretrial conference at 1:30 p.m. Wed., Aug. 30.