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Target Corp., the second-largest U.S. discount retailer, will pay millions of dollars in penalties for illegally dumping toxic wastes in Los Angeles and throughout California, the City Attorney's Office announced on Thursday. Minnesota-based Target Corp. has agreed to a settlement, which obliges the company to pay a total of 22.5 million dollars in civil penalties, reimbursement for investigative costs and environmental projects to the state and several local prosecution agencies, including the city of Los Angeles, the office said in a statement. Target made no comment about the settlement. The settlement approved by an Oakland judge resolves a 2009 civil lawsuit brought by former California Attorney General Jerry Brown, the city attorneys of Los Angeles and San Diego and 20 district attorneys of California counties, according to the statement. The lawsuit alleged that more than 200 Target stores violated the state's Hazardous Waste Control law by illegally dumping toxic wastes for numerous times throughout California over an eight-year period. The wastes included bleaches, pesticides, paints, aerosols and other flammable and corrosive materials, according to the lawsuit. Hazardous waste was also disposed of by passing on damaged and unusable items through donations to charities, the lawsuit alleged. Investigators launched a probe in 2002 with the help of numerous environmental health agencies statewide. Last September, the company was ordered by the court to cease unlawful disposal and handling of hazardous waste under a statewide preliminary injunction. Target operates about 240 retail stores and seven distribution centers throughout California, including more than four dozen stores located in both the city and county of Los Angeles. |
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