RivCo To Net More Than $1M From Verizon In Hazmat Lawsuit

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County is set to receive more than $1 million in penalties and fees under a civil settlement with Verizon Wireless, according to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

A $7.7 million stipulated judgment has been entered against Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, to resolve statewide violations of California laws governing hazardous materials and aboveground petroleum storage, prosecutors announced.

The civil judgment, which was formally approved by a judge on Jan. 2, was heard in Orange County Superior Court and stems from an investigation into environmental violations at hundreds of Verizon wireless telecommunication facilities across Southern California. Prosecutors alleged the violations began in January 2019.

“The complaint alleges that Verizon repeatedly failed to submit complete and accurate `Hazardous Materials Business Plans’ to the California Environmental Reporting System,” according to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. “Verizon also failed to maintain copies of these plans onsite as required, and failed to provide adequate employee training for responding to hazardous material releases.”

According to the complaint, Verizon facilities use hazardous materials and aboveground petroleum storage tanks to power emergency generators and backup systems, including lead-acid batteries and petroleum products. Under California law, these materials require detailed reporting, onsite documentation and proper hazardous materials management.

READ MORE: OC DA Settles Verizon Wireless Hazmat Lawsuit For $7.7M

Prosecutors also said the company obstructed public inspections at some facilities and failed to pay required permit fees that fund local oversight of hazardous materials.

“These requirements exist to ensure that first responders, environmental regulators and public safety officials have accurate information about hazardous materials stored at commercial sites in the event of an emergency,” according to the plaintiffs.

Verizon was brought into compliance only after investigative agencies contacted the company regarding its violations, prosecutors said, adding that the company has since corrected its policies and practices. Authorities reported there was no evidence of environmental harm at the facilities.

Under the settlement, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office will receive a total of $827,191 to cover penalties and costs, while the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health will receive $318,375 for similar purposes, according to prosecutors.

Verizon was also ordered to pay $375,000 toward supplemental environmental projects benefiting the California CUPA Forum Board, the Western States Project, the California Hazardous Material Investigators Association, and the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Enforcement and Training account.

In addition to Riverside County, prosecutors from Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties participated in the investigation, along with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.

“As prosecutors, we have an absolute responsibility to protect the environment and the residents of Orange County from toxic chemicals and other hazardous waste,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement last week. “Companies that cut corners to break the law and endanger our environment in order to save on their bottom line will be held accountable.”

The case was handled in Riverside County by Deputy District Attorney Lauren R. Martineau of the District Attorney’s Environmental Protection Team.