Puregro Company, Hazardous Waste Violation, CA 1993

Heber, California – A pesticide formulation facility and one of its former managers faced federal charges in 1993 for violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), a cornerstone of hazardous waste regulation in the United States. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of improper hazardous waste handling and disposal, leading to both corporate fines and individual imprisonment.

Puregro Company, doing business as Brea Agricultural, was initially charged on January 14, 1993, with knowingly transporting hazardous waste in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(1). In a swift resolution, the company entered a guilty plea on the same day. The court levied a substantial fine of $100,000 against Puregro, alongside restitution payments totaling $25,000 – $9,000 directed towards the county and $16,000 to the Superfund, a federal program designed to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites.

The investigation extended beyond the corporate entity to include individual accountability. On March 8, 1993, charges were filed against Mills, a former manager at Puregro, alleging a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2), specifically relating to the unlawful treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste. Like the company, Mills immediately pleaded guilty to the charge.

The EPA’s enforcement action highlighted the agency’s commitment to pursuing both corporate and individual responsibility in environmental crimes. While the exact nature of the hazardous waste involved remains largely unpublicized in available records, the penalties imposed suggest a serious breach of regulatory standards. Sources familiar with RCRA cases suggest that pesticide formulation facilities generate a range of hazardous wastes including spent solvents, contaminated materials, and off-specification products.

On June 14, 1993, Mills received his sentence: four months of incarceration, followed by a 24-month probationary period. The court also mandated four months of treatment, indicating a potential acknowledgement of contributing factors or a need for rehabilitation. In addition to the custodial sentence and probation, Mills was ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the legal and financial consequences associated with non-compliance with hazardous waste regulations. The EPA continues to actively investigate and prosecute companies and individuals who endanger public health and the environment through improper handling of dangerous materials. The combined penalties levied against Puregro and Mills totaled $132,500, demonstrating the seriousness with which federal authorities treat RCRA violations.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Puregro Company d/b/a Brea Agricultural and Mills (former manager)
Location: Heber, California
Year: 1993
Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(1) & 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Puregro Penalty: $100,000 fine + $25,000 restitution (to county & Superfund)
Mills Penalty: 4 months incarceration, 24 months probation, 4 months treatment, $7,500 fine

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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