Prosecutors: Wal-Mart to pay $27.6M to settle claims of improperly dumping waste across Calif.

Wal-Mart to pay $27.6M in California dumping case

SAN DIEGO — Prosecutors say Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle claims of improperly handling and dumping hazardous waste at stores across California.

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced the settlement Monday involving more than 20 federal, state and local prosecutors and environmental agencies.

She called the settlement one of the largest of its type in the United States.

Dumanis says Wal-Mart employees were caught illegally storing and dumping hazardous waste at 236 stores and distribution centers across California.

She says the investigation began five years ago when a San Diego Health Department employee saw a worker pouring bleach down a drain.

Phyllis Harris, who handles Wal-Mart’s environmental affairs, says the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer has improved since the violations were discovered.