An unemployed truck driver suspected by state prosecutors in a bombing that severely injured his sister has been embroiled in a lengthy and bitter $2 million inheritance fight with his siblings, officials say, after he allegedly dumped used oil, hazardous waste and trash on property they own.

Clair Audrey Wolf, 64, remained in the Harris County Jail in lieu of a $80,000 bail on Friday, after state prosecutors earlier filed nine charges of illegal dumping, discharging used oil and other environmental offenses he allegedly committed on a block-square tract at 3200 block of Hurley.

A Houston police investigator said Wolf's sisters have spent more than $800,000 in cleanup costs at the Hurley site and two other properties, which were littered with leaking barrels and large tanks of used oil, along with hazardous waste, discarded equipment, large trucks and trash.

"He's a good idea man, but he apparently doesn't have the ability to maintain a business," said HPD officer Steve Dicker, referring to Wolf's unsuccessful attempts to run an oil recycling operation, a garbage collection business and other ventures at the sites.

Houston attorney Linda Goehrs, who represents Wolfs' injured sister, Vennie Wolf, 58, said a package the size of a shoe box arrived at her client's home four days after a mediator in the estate dispute ruled that Clair Wolf deserved a smaller share because of damage to the properties.

"We mediated a settlement in which he would get less than his one-third share, and I think it's safe to say he was disappointed with the ruling,“ said Goehrs, referring to a June 14 hearing. "The mediation concluded Monday night, and the package appeared on her front porch at 7 a.m. Friday morning."

The package contained a homemade bomb, which exploded July 7 when Vennie Wolf decided to open it. The explosion seriously injured her left eye, two of her fingers, hip and other parts of her body hit by shrapnel and burning chemicals. She declined to comment.

Those familiar with the investigation said the bomb carried a note that read — "To Vennie. I hope you enjoy this."

Goehrs is representing Vennie Wolf in a 3-year probate battle over properties valued up from $1.5 million to $2 million owned by her deceased parents, a Houston communications engineer and his wife. Attorneys familiar with the probate case say Clair Wolf acknowledged during the mediation he has not filed a tax return in more than 10 years.

Clair Wolf is considered a suspect in the bombing and the inheritance fight is a possible motive, according to state prosecutors who charged him with environmental crimes on Monday.

Francesca Perot, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Friday the investigation into the bombing continues and no charges have been filed.

Site cleanup

Harris County Assistant District Attorney Roger Haseman said cleanup of the Hurley site did not begin until Clair Wolf's two sisters gained control of the estate, and then took steps in probate court to reduce his share of the estate.

"It was this particular sister (Vennie Wolf) who was really spearheading the lawsuit against him," said Haseman. "Maybe they were trying to get him disallowed as an inheritors since he's the one who contaminated these properties ... that would be some motivation."

The environmental charges against Clair Wolf were filed while he was in the Harris County Jail on a probation revocation warrant from San Augustine County, where he was fined $4,000 last year on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Clair Wolf was placed on probation after cattle died because they were not fed or watered, and he failed to report monthly to probation officers or pay probation fees for five months, county officials said.

Clair Wolf's probate attorney, Charles Rusciano, said he doubts his client has anything to do with the bombing, noting that he would be an immediate suspect because of the bitter court fight with his sisters.

"I know Vennie Wolf sued a lot of people in this matter," Rusciano said. "She was trying to get back property into the estate; there were deeds from her deceased father to people, and she didn't consider them valid. So she challenged all of them."

Questioning charges

Rusciano noted the city and the state environmental agency reached an agreed judgment with Wolf's father and mother in 1997, which called for a complete cleanup of the Hurley site in 60 days.

"They (sisters) barely wanted to give him anything, and they wanted to saddle him with the clean up," said Rusciano. "They wanted to blame him for the totality of any environmental violations that allegedly occurred. They wanted to ignore the fact that their father was involved in this, and pin it all on their brother."

He questioned the timing of environmental charges against Clair Wolf, and wonders if authorities investigating the bombing are trying to pressure him by keeping him in jail, where they could plant an informant to gather incriminating statements.

The city investigated the Hurley site years ago, Rusciano said. "The fact that they're charging him with environmental violations now is shocking," he said.

City Attorney David Feldman confirmed the city began investigating the Hurley property in 1994, but was unaware of the 1997 settlement or outcome of any cleanup.

james.pinkerton@chron.com