Azusa : Plant Owner Pleads Guilty
The owner of a chemical plant that was responsible for an accidental leak of noxious gas last May has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of releasing toxic air pollutants.
Five people were hospitalized, and the surrounding neighborhoods were evacuated.
John Rykowski, owner and operator of Jay Chemical Co., will be required to pay $17,625 in fines and penalties and perform 150 hours of community service work this year, under a sentence handed down in Citrus Municipal Court. Judge Fred Felix suspended a 30-day jail term, but placed Rykowski on 18 months probation.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department ordered residents around the plant to evacuate after smoke and fumes were emitted from an uncontrolled epoxy resin mixing operation.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
