FROM:
Karyn Sinunu, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
John Fioretta, Deputy District Attorney Environment Protection Unit
(408) 792-2638 For release on March 25, 2004 FORMER SAN JOSE METAL PLATING SHOP OWNERS PAY $37,500 FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE VIOLATIONS Yesterday the former owners of a metal plating shop admitted liability for hazardous waste violations to resolve a civil enforcement action filed by the Santa Clara County District Attorney. David and Natalie Gaitan will pay a total of $37,500 in civil penalties and costs and will be permanently enjoined from future violations. Diamond Electro Plating was located in San Jose. After a dispute with a former owner and the landlord, the Gaitans abandoned hazardous waste at the shop. The Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health’s Hazardous Materials Compliance Division investigated after receiving a complaint. In addition to the abandoned waste, investigation found stains in a bathroom sink that contained hazardous levels of metals. The District Attorney’s Environmental Protection Unit prosecuted the case. ###
Karyn Sinunu, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
John Fioretta, Deputy District Attorney Environment Protection Unit
(408) 792-2638 For release on March 25, 2004 FORMER SAN JOSE METAL PLATING SHOP OWNERS PAY $37,500 FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE VIOLATIONS Yesterday the former owners of a metal plating shop admitted liability for hazardous waste violations to resolve a civil enforcement action filed by the Santa Clara County District Attorney. David and Natalie Gaitan will pay a total of $37,500 in civil penalties and costs and will be permanently enjoined from future violations. Diamond Electro Plating was located in San Jose. After a dispute with a former owner and the landlord, the Gaitans abandoned hazardous waste at the shop. The Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health’s Hazardous Materials Compliance Division investigated after receiving a complaint. In addition to the abandoned waste, investigation found stains in a bathroom sink that contained hazardous levels of metals. The District Attorney’s Environmental Protection Unit prosecuted the case. ###