Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has announced a $7.7 million settlement with Verizon Wireless following a civil enforcement action for alleged environmental law violations. According to a press release from the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, the telecommunications giant was accused of improper handling of hazardous materials and failing to adhere to reporting protocols across Southern California.
The legal action, which Soto joined alongside several District Attorney’s Offices including those in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura, Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, began seven years ago. Regulatory violations were highlighted at various Verizon facilities where hazardous materials, such as lead acid batteries, and above ground petroleum storage tanks were found. The complaint alleged that Verizon persistently failed to accurately prepare and maintain Hazardous Materials Business Plans, a requirement under The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). Soto emphasized in her statement that "Compliance with California’s environmental protection laws for the storage, reporting and inspection of hazardous materials is not optional, even for a conglomerate like Verizon." She mentioned that these laws are in place to protect first responders, employees, and the public by guaranteeing that critical information is current and accessible in case of an emergency.
Moreover, Verizon Wireless reportedly inhibited inspections at multiple sites and did not pay the required permit fees, which are crucial for local oversight of hazardous materials. The settlement mandates that Verizon Wireless will pay a total of $7.7 million - $7,125,000 in civil penalties, $200,000 in investigative costs, and $375,000 in Supplemental Environmental Projects. The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office will receive upwards of $800,000 in penalties, and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), which enforces CalEPA regulations in the city, is to receive over $315,000.
The Public Rights Branch within the City Attorney's Office managed this litigation, signaling a significant accomplishment for the office led by Feldstein Soto, who made history by becoming the first female City Attorney in L.A. In a statement shared by the City Attorney's Office, Soto went on to describe the outcome as a bold stance taken to "stand up" to Verizon and protect the health and safety of the region. The case details, recorded under the number 30-2025-01534268-CU-BT-CJC titled The People of the State of California vs. Cellco Partnership DBA Verizon Wireless, is available for review on the City Attorney's Office website.
