California City Council members face federal charges for allegedly arranging SUVs that move chemical elements without proper precautions.

Federal authorities arrested Michael Kulikoff, 39, of California on Tuesday on charges of improper transport of hazardous waste and “put another person at risk of imminent death or serious personal injury.”

The allegations centered around a mercury exposure incident owned by Kulikoff. Kulikoff is the mayor of California, about 100 miles north of Los Angeles.

Kulikoff, who was released after his arrest, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

California Mayor Marquette Hawkins issued a statement saying “The health and safety of our residents are always our highest priority and we take these allegations with the utmost seriousness.”

Hawkins stressed that “everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.”

“We are actively working to ensure that city operations continue to be undamaged and that public trust remains strong throughout the difficult times,” Hawkins said. “Any steps necessary to safeguard the public interest and maintain ethical standards will be taken under the law.”

According to the indictment, in February 2024, Kulikov learned that only "one person" had sprinkled a jar and spilled several ounces of mercury in the cabin of the SUV.

Mercury, also known as Quicksilver, is a neurotoxin that can affect the nervous system and kidneys, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When metal mercury is inhaled, it can cause tremors, headaches and neuromuscular changes.

The indictment says that after the leak, the SUV driver tried to use a vacuum cleaner to clean the spill on Kulikoff's car wash.

The indictment said the man then drove the SUV to his mother's home, near the school bus station, and called 911 after experiencing symptoms of mercury exposure.

When city emergency service personnel responded and scanned the SUV, authorities said they found 20 times the allowable limit on mercury in the cabin. They placed yellow warning tape on the vehicle and shut down the car wash industry due to contaminated vacuum cleaners.

According to the indictment, Kulikoff tried to clean up the business himself, but the emergency service told him he needed to stop because it was a dangerous material site and was not safe.

The next day, prosecutors alleged that Kulikov returned to the scene and received a quote for cleaning mercury from the Environmental Services Company. He allegedly sent videos to the then mayor of California via Facebook.

According to the indictment, Kurikov told the brothers: “So they are now deleting it and posting a recording.

Court documents said emergency service personnel left the SUV later that day in response to the fire that was falsely reported. When they return, the SUV disappears.

Authorities say Kulikov conspired with another person to move the contaminated SUV outside the city. He allegedly directed the man to drive to Boron, a small town in Kern County, because he wanted to be within the jurisdiction of the City of California.

Kern County Emergency Services found the SUV in the home of the individual who relocated it. Drivers who are not identified or charged also complain about symptoms associated with mercury exposure.

According to the indictment, the Environmental Services Corporate corrected the SUV and in the process found high levels of mercury and recovered solid mercury.

If convicted, Kulikov faces up to five years in prison and a dangerous waste of conspiracy to transport and up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 a day, to put another person in imminent danger.