Bill Gates failed to store his horse waste properly on his $8.7 million horse farm and he will pay for it. The fine probably won't put much of a dent in his $80 billion income.
The town of Wellington, Fla., levied a $42,000 fine against Gates, according to Page Six. The $250-a-day penalties stemmed from two code violations issued July 18.
The Gates' property had improperly installed the horse-waste storage bin too close to a nearby pond. Wellington's town ordinances state the storage facilities must be placed "at least 100 feet away from any drainage port of entry, body of water, public or private storm drainage conveyance system which has direct discharge into any body of water." The second violation came from not having a proper permit.
The town sent Gates letters of notice for months before it finally made contact this month.
"We made contact with the contractor and the trustee today [Tuesday]. We don't know what triggered it," Wellington's Code Enforcement Manager Steven Koch told Page Six.
The farm has removed the waste bin and local inspectors will confirm its removal before the property works to build a new bin with the assistance of Wellington Department of Buildings.
Gates bought the Florida home in cash last year. The property can house 20 horses and comes with training grounds. His teenage daughter Jennifer trains at the facility and competes at nearby horse shows. Wellington holds 40 weeks of equestrian competitions and the largest horse show in the world, according to Page Six.
