Corona, CA – A defunct trucking company and its owner have been penalized for abandoning a cache of potentially hazardous materials on a vacant lot in Corona, California. WH Tank Lines, once a hazardous waste transporter with offices in Spring Hill and Long Beach, and company owner, Hohn, were found to have illegally dumped a collection of trucks and trailers laden with aging waste.
The abandoned vehicles – three truck trailers and three tank trucks – were discovered on a fenced dirt lot and had apparently been present for approximately 18 months. Investigators traced the vehicles, and prior abandonment site roughly half a mile away, back to WH Tank Lines, which ceased operations in 1998. An initial inspection revealed between 120 and 150 drums visible inside two of the trucks, with a third containing shredded tires. Fifteen accessible drums bore labels indicating hazardous waste contents, including waste oil, hydrocarbon ink sludge, and other unidentified materials accumulated between 1995 and 1997.
The case unfolded after state authorities filed a complaint against WH Tank Lines on April 7, 2005, alleging 21 counts of violating state environmental regulations. Hohn was subsequently charged with the same 21 counts on October 1, 2007. The delay in resolution highlights the complexities of tracking down and holding accountable companies that dissolve leaving behind environmental liabilities.
On April 3, 2008, WH Tank Lines entered a guilty plea to 18 of the 21 counts. The company was sentenced to 36 months of probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 special assessment fee, along with a $5,287 state fine, of which $5,000 was suspended. Hohn, meanwhile, pled guilty to all 21 counts and received the same 36-month probation period. He was also ordered to pay $100 in restitution, a $16,300 special assessment fee, and $16,545 in state fines.
Key Facts
- Defendant: WH Tank Lines & Hohn
- Location: Corona, California
- Crime: Illegal dumping of hazardous waste
- Timeframe of Abandonment: Approximately 18 months, with a prior abandonment site. Waste dates back to 1995-1997.
- Violated Statutes: State environmental regulations (21 counts)
- Penalties: WH Tank Lines – 36 months probation, $5,000 assessment, $5,287 fine ($5,000 suspended). Hohn – 36 months probation, $100 restitution, $16,300 assessment, $16,545 fine.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the enduring responsibility companies have for the proper disposal of hazardous materials, even after going out of business. The significant financial penalties levied against both the company and its owner underscore the seriousness with which California treats environmental crimes. The abandoned waste poses potential risks to public health and the environment, necessitating costly cleanup efforts that are often borne by taxpayers.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments, including potential remediation efforts at the Corona site. The incident raises questions about oversight of hazardous waste transporters and the effectiveness of current regulations in preventing similar occurrences in the future.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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