AnonymousSource: Santa Barbara County District Attorney
District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that her Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit, along with fifteen other district attorney’s offices and one city attorney’s office, settled a case with Old Dominion Freight Line (“ODFL”) resolving allegations that the company failed to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste at its facilities throughout the state.
The judgment, filed this week in Orange County, is the result of a multi-jurisdiction investigation into numerous unlawful practices by ODFL, including illegal disposal of hazardous waste in ODFL trash receptacles, unlawful transport of hazardous waste out-of-state without proper documentation and without a transporter’s registration, and failure to train employees in the proper management of hazardous waste. These hazardous wastes included commercial chemical products, paint materials, electronic devices, batteries, ignitable liquids, aerosol products, cleaning agents, and other flammable, reactive, toxic, and corrosive materials.
On July 26, 2022, a Stipulated Judgment was entered to resolve the case. The Judgment includes the following provisions:
- $860,000 in civil penalties, including $46,120 to Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office and $5,360 to Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services;
- $250,000 for supplemental environmental projects;
- $250,000 for reimbursement of enforcement costs, including $9,250 to Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office and $400 to Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services; and
- Injunction requiring ODFL to comply with environmental laws and regulations, employ a full-time employee responsible for environmental, health, regulatory, and safety compliance, and submit Annual Status Reports concerning compliance with the Judgment.
Shortly after prosecutors brought these matters to ODFL’s attention, ODFL developed and implemented new policies, procedures, and training programs designed to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste. ODFL cooperated with prosecutors throughout the investigation and evaluation of this matter.
District Attorney Dudley said, “These violations posed serious risks to the environment, the public, first responders, and company personnel. My office will continue to investigate and prosecute businesses which violate laws intended to protect all of us.”
