August 11, 2015 – Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced today that Federal Express Ground Package, Inc. has been ordered to pay $1.75 million as part of a settlement in an environmental prosecution.

The settlement stems from claims that Pennsylvania-based FedEx Ground was illegally transporting and storing hazardous waste, failing to adequately train its employees regarding the proper handling of the waste and failing to appropriately dispose of the waste, Deputy District Attorney Daniel Wright of the Environmental Crimes Section said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, working jointly with 15 other district attorney’s offices, filed the suit in Sacramento County Superior Court. Judge Raymond M. Cadei signed the stipulated judgment on July 28.

The judgment is the culmination of a civil enforcement lawsuit initially filed July 1, 2014 in Sacramento County and led by the district attorneys of Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Butte, Fresno, Humboldt, Santa Barbara and Solano counties.

Prior to June 1, 2013, FedEx was not immediately identifying and then properly transporting or storing hazardous waste as it was moved between its facilities in accordance with California law, prosecutors said.

Under the final judgment, FedEx must pay $1.75 million: $1.5 million in civil penalties; $155,000 in reimbursed funds to the investigative and law enforcement agencies; $85,000 for a supplemental environmental project; and $10,000 to inform its customers of waste minimization techniques and improved packaging.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will receive nearly $190,000 from the settlement that will be used for enforcement of consumer protection laws.

FedEx also will be bound under the terms of a permanent injunction prohibiting similar future violations of law. The company was cooperative during the investigation.