Region : Toxic Dumping Is Charged
City Atty. James Hahn has filed criminal charges against officials of a Westside furniture-manufacturing company accused of dumping hazardous materials near Ballona Creek.
Among those named in the criminal complaint is Donald Lee Alderson, 40, president of Don Alderson Associates Inc. The firm makes specialty furniture for hotels, other businesses and residences at its facility at 3327 S. La Cienega Place.
Hahn’s office said charges grew out of an investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Health, which found evidence of illegal dumping of paint and paint thinners at the plant after receiving a citizen complaint.
According to Deputy City Atty. Teresa Luhan, who is handling the case, inspectors found evidence of illegal dumping on the ground along a chain-link fence behind the factory, which is located on an embankment overlooking Ballona Creek.
“Paint stains and splatters were visible along the fence line, and paint stains were also visible on the creek side of the fence on the vegetation and bushes and running down the concrete embankment to the creek,” Hahn said. “It appeared that the illegal dumping had been going on for some time, since the inspectors determined as they were taking samples that the paint contamination had soaked six to eight inches deep into the soil.”
Illegal dumping of such materials is a crime punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of $5,000 to $100,000 per day of such activity.
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.
