announced Wednesday that a 24-count complaint was filed against S&W Atlas Iron and Metal Corp., and its owners.
The company and its owners, Gary Weisenberg and Matthew Weisenberg were each charged with 21 felony counts of knowingly disposing hazardous waste at a site with no permit and one felony count of deposit of hazardous waste. They also each face one misdemeanor count of failure to maintain or operate a facility to minimize the possibility of a fire and public nuisance.
The complaint alleges that the defendants violated state environmental laws by not properly disposing hazardous waste. According to the complaint, soil samples taken from the high school, which is next to the Atlas facility, showed excessive concentrations of lead and zinc. Additional samples taken at Atlas found excessive concentrations of seven metals. Metal debris was also found at the high school.
"The charging of Atlas Metal for their environmental crimes is a step toward justice for the children of Jordan High School and the community of Watts. Children deserve a safe and healthy environment to learn and grow in, and we must hold companies accountable for their actions that put our children's health at risk," District Attorney George Gascon said.
"Never has this been more important than in underserved communities who are often confronted by adverse industrial impacts that cause air, water and land pollution. Los Angeles Unified has been and will always maintain the firm resolve to support environmental policies that protects its students and staff from such health and safety risks," Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho stated.
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