Radford Alexander Corp., Pollution, CA 2002

Gardena, CA – Radford Alexander Corp. avoided a harsher fate after pleading guilty to federal charges stemming from illegal discharges into the Gardena City sewer system, according to court documents unsealed this week. The company, operating Chemical Transportation Co. (Chem Trans) and Avalon Environmental Management from a single Gardena facility, was accused of knowingly polluting the municipal wastewater system with hazardous and corrosive materials.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated the investigation after receiving reports of unusual levels of oil, grease, and sulfides originating from the Radford Alexander facility. Chem Trans specializes in the transportation of hazardous waste, while Avalon Environmental Management is a non-hazardous wastewater treatment operation – a combination authorities say created a significant risk of environmental damage and potential public health hazards.

Between November 1996 and July 1997, the EPA alleges that Radford Alexander Corp. actively obstructed the investigation by denying sanitation district inspectors access to their Gardena site. This deliberate interference hampered efforts to assess the extent of the pollution and verify compliance with environmental regulations. Authorities note that discharging such pollutants into sewer systems can disrupt treatment processes, potentially killing beneficial bacteria vital for proper sewage breakdown, and posing risks to both treatment plant workers and the wider community.

Initially, an eight-count indictment was filed on December 13, 2000, charging Radford Alexander Corp., Chemical Transportation Company, Inc., and Avalon Environmental Management with violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA). However, charges against Chemical Transportation and Avalon Environmental Management were later dismissed, leaving Radford Alexander Corp. and its representative, Arnell Maxey, to face the consequences.

On December 10, 2001, both Radford Alexander Corp. and Arnell Maxey entered guilty pleas to one count of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A). Radford Alexander Corp. received a sentence of 12 months probation, a $125 special assessment fee, and a federal fine of $25,000. Maxey, in addition to 12 months probation and a $125 special assessment, was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 federal fine. The initial indictment also referenced violations of 33 U.S.C. 1311(a) and 33 U.S.C. 1317(d) relating to unlawful discharge and operation in violation of standards.

While the penalties levied against Radford Alexander Corp. and Maxey represent a conviction, some environmental watchdogs argue the fines are insufficient given the potential severity of the pollution and the deliberate obstruction of the investigation. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for stringent oversight of hazardous waste handling and wastewater treatment facilities to protect public health and the environment.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Radford Alexander Corp.
Location: Gardena, California
Crime: Illegal discharge of pollutants into the Gardena City sewer system and obstruction of an EPA investigation.
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), 33 U.S.C. 1317(d), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A)
Penalties: Radford Alexander Corp. – 12 months probation, $125 special assessment, $25,000 fine. Arnell Maxey – 12 months probation, 100 hours community service, $125 special assessment, $1,000 fine.
Timeline: Investigation began in 1996, Indictment filed Dec 13, 2000, Guilty plea and sentencing Dec 10, 2001.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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