"Atlas, along with its father-and-son owners Gary and Matthew Weisenberg, were arraigned two years ago on numerous criminal charges in connection with illegal dumping and handling of hazardous waste from July 2020 and August 2022. A little more than a year later, a compressed gas canister ignited at the scrap yard, causing a fiery explosion on the first day of school, after which the district attorney's office filed additional charges against the defendants."
"S&W Atlas Iron & Metal had processed scrap metal in Watts since 1949, shredding and baling aluminum cans, steel rims and copper wire. Over that time, students and staff at Jordan High School complained that the facility's operations coated their campus in toxic dust, occasionally pelted outdoor areas with shrapnel and disrupted classes with explosions. The company and the Weisenbergs eventually pleaded no contest to several charges."
A Los Angeles County judge ordered S&W Atlas Iron & Metal to permanently cease operations adjacent to Jordan High School and imposed $2 million in fines. The facility had processed scrap metal in Watts since 1949 and repeatedly coated the school campus in toxic dust, occasionally showering outdoor areas with shrapnel and causing disruptive explosions. The company and its father-and-son owners faced criminal arraignments for illegal dumping and hazardous-waste handling and later pleaded no contest to several charges. Sentencing included permanent closure, a land covenant banning future recycling, two years probation, and community service. Community leaders praised the ruling but stressed cleanup cannot easily reverse long-term harm to student health and development.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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