FedEx to pay $1.75m settlement for environmental violations
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced yesterday (11 August) that FedEx Ground has been ordered to pay $1.75m as part of a settlement in an environmental prosecution.
“The settlement stems from claims that Pennsylvania-based FedEx Ground was illegally transporting and storing hazardous waste, failing to adequately train its employees regarding the proper handling of the waste and failing to appropriately dispose of the waste,” according to Deputy District Attorney Daniel Wright of the Environmental Crimes Section.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, working jointly with 15 other district attorney’s offices, filed the suit in Sacramento County Superior Court.
Judge Raymond M. Cadei signed the stipulated judgment on 28 July. The judgment follows on from a civil enforcement lawsuit initially filed on 1 July 2014 in Sacramento County.
According to the prosecutors: “Prior to June 1, 2013, FedEx was not immediately identifying and then properly transporting or storing hazardous waste as it was moved between its facilities in accordance with California law.”
Under the final judgment, FedEx must pay $1.75m: $1.5m in civil penalties; $155,000 in reimbursed funds to the investigative and law enforcement agencies; $85,000 for a supplemental environmental project; and $10,000 to inform its customers of waste minimization techniques and improved packaging.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will receive nearly $190,000 from the settlement that will be used for enforcement of consumer protection laws.
