RWG Delivers Trial Win in Massive Solid Waste Dumping Case
Court Awards $21.7M in Statutory Penalties to Ventura County
Attorneys from Richards, Watson & Gershon recently obtained a judgment in favor of Ventura County in a significant environmental protection case involving illegal dumping of tons of construction debris. Following a 10 day trial, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Kent Kellegrew ordered two defendants to clean up all unpermitted fill material, and to pay $21.7 million in statutory penalties to the county – the maximum statutory penalty under the Public Resources Code.
RWG's trial team proved that the defendants illegally discarded more than 8,000 truckloads of unpermitted construction debris, dumping it into canyons near a remote hillside above Simi Valley. RWG further proved that the uncompacted fill material could lead to a debris flow that would seriously damage people and property at the base of the hill.
RWG shareholders Robert Ceccon and Saskia Asamura successfully tried the case with the assistance of paralegal Kerry Liberty. This is the firm's second significant trial victory obtained on behalf of Ventura County. Mr. Ceccon also led the team that obtained a defense judgment for the county in a lawsuit that alleged it caused the La Conchita landslide that resulted in 10 deaths in 2005.
If you have questions or would like more information on the case, please contact Robert C. Ceccon or Saskia T. Asamura.
