Lake Elsinore Costco Implicated In Hazardous Waste Violations; $3.6 Million Judgment Signed

A final judgment has been signed ordering Costco Corporation to pay $3.6 million in civil penalties stemming from hazardous waste violations statewide, including violations at the Lake Elsinore location on Central Avenue.

Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach made the announcement Monday morning, and stated that Alameda County Superior Court Judge Winifred Smith signed the judgment June 1.

The Riverside County DA’s Office joined 28 other district attorney’s offices throughout the state in filing the civil action in Alameda County.

“A joint investigation and prosecution by DA’s Offices began after inspectors in San Joaquin County found evidence of improper handling, storage and disposal of pharmaceutical and pharmacy waste, as well as other hazardous waste, at Costco stores. After being informed of the investigation, Costco officials cooperated with prosecutors and quickly came into compliance with hazardous waste management regulations,” the statement from Zellerbach’s office read.

The violations were found to have happened over a five-year period from 2007 to 2012 at Costco stores and distribution centers statewide, including six stores and a distribution center in Riverside County. The locations in Riverside County were stores at 72-800 Dinah Shore Dr., Palm Desert; 79-795 Highway 111, La Quinta; 480 McKinley St., Corona; 12700 Day St., Moreno Valley; 29315 Central Ave., Lake Elsinore; and 26610 Ynez Road, Temecula and a distribution center in Mira Loma.

The Riverside County DA’s Office will receive $176,000 in penalties and $12,500 in prosecutorial costs. The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health will receive $35,750 in penalties and $4,000 in costs.

“The $3.6 million judgment will also help fund supplemental environmental projects furthering consumer protection and environmental enforcement throughout California. Costco will be bound for five years under the terms of a permanent injunction prohibiting similar future alleged violations,” according to today’s statement.