A Los Angeles County judge ordered operations to stop at Atlas Iron and Metal Co. in Watts, as the company and its two owners face felony charges.
A Los Angeles County judge ordered operations to stop at Atlas Iron and Metal Co. in Watts, as the company and its two owners face felony charges.The other co-owner, Gary Weisenberg, was released on $100,000 over the weekend citing his age, health problems, and cognitive issues. This comes amid a 25-count indictment alleging the 70-year-old company has increasingly violated environmental and safety regulations by illegally disposing of hazardous waste.
The criminal case is the latest legal matter for the company, which faces charges of knowingly disposing hazardous waste at a site with no permit, deposit of hazardous waste, failure to maintain or operate a facility to minimize the possibility of a fire or explosion, and public nuisance. In 2023, then-District Attorney George Gascón announced the initial criminal filing. A grand jury indictment was handed down last year shortly after the Aug. 12 explosion.Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
In August 2024, an explosion at the facility occurred as students at nearby Jordan High School were arriving for their first day of classes after winter break. This was the third explosion at the facility since 2002. The DA’s Office says soil samples from the school show excessive levels of lead and zinc, and metal debris was found on the campus as well.In a statement, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called it “historic” for the company. He said in part: “For 70 years, as alleged in court, Atlas Metals has collected all the profits, and the children at Jordan High School have borne all the risks. This will not stand.
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