Ventura County and State of California v. Santa Clara Waste Water (2015)

Joint prosecution between the State of California and the County of Ventura against Santa Clara Waste Water, its parent company, and individual employees for criminal violations stemming from hazardous waste disposal.

Citation: County of Ventura v. Santa Clara Waste Water, No. 2015023881 (2015)

Topic: Solid & Hazardous Waste

Type of action: Criminal Case

States involved: California

Summary: The State of California formally joined the criminal prosecution of Santa Clara Waste Water, its parent company Green Compass Environmental Solutions, and nine individuals. The charges stem from a hazardous waste explosion in 2014 at the Santa Clara Waste Water facility. Charges include, among other things, conspiracy to dispose of hazardous waste, failure to warn of a serious concealed danger, handling a hazardous waste with a reckless disregard for human life, etc. Indictments in the case were handed down in August of 2015. The case appears to be ongoing after extensive motion practice, including exclusion of counsel for the corporate entities.

Key documents:

• California AG Press Release
• Santa Clara Waste Water Docket Information