SAN DIEGO—
O’Reilly Auto Parts has agreed to a $9.86 million settlement in a lawsuit that accused the company of mishandling hazardous waste at locations throughout California.
The lawsuit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, was brought by more than 50 district attorneys’ offices from around the state, including San Diego County.
Defendants named in the suit included Missouri-based O’Reilly Auto Enterprises LLC, O’Reilly Automotive Inc., O’Reilly Automotive Stores Inc. and Ozark Automotive Distributors Inc.
Advertisem*nt
In their lawsuit, the district attorneys claimed that O’Reilly stores unlawfully handled, transported and disposed of used oil, used oil filters and hazardous waste — such as automotive fluid, batteries and aerosol cans — over a five-year period.
Investigators conducted a series of undercover inspections in 2013 and 2014, and found that O’Reilly stores had been sending used oil, oil filters, and hazardous materials to landfills throughout California routinely, according to a news release from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
The landfills are not permitted to receive that kind of waste.
Investigators also found that the waste was being transported from O’Reilly stores to distribution centers in California without the required licenses. The statewide investigation revealed that 42 out of 43 O’Reilly stores and both O’Reilly distribution centers were violating state law.
O’Reilly operates more than 500 stores in California.
The company has since modified its policies and procedures to eliminate improper disposal of hazardous waste products in California.
Under the terms of the settlement, O’Reilly has agreed to pay $6 million in civil penalties and $500,000 to reimburse the costs of the investigation. An additional $1.51 million will be used to fund environmental projects in California.
In addition, O’Reilly will fund projects valued at $1.85 million to reduce hazardous waste minimization and enhanced compliance with state law.
San Diego County will receive $406,000 in civil penalties, $57,900 in costs and $31,400 in other penalties and costs.
dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com
Twitter: @danalittlefield
