News Releases

Atlas must pay a total of about $2 million in restitution and penalties

WATTS, CA — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that Atlas Iron and Metal Corp. has pleaded no contest to five felony counts of hazardous waste disposal at an unpermitted site, resulting in the immediate and permanent closure of all operations on its premises.

“This outcome shuts down a dangerous facility that has threatened this community for more than 75 years. Today, Watts is safer and the children and educators at Jordan High School can now breathe easier — literally and figuratively,” District Attorney Hochman said. “We will relentlessly pursue any business that poisons our neighborhoods. Let this be a warning — if you break the law and put public health at risk, we will hold you accountable.”

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said that today marks more than the permanent closure of a toxic metals recycling plant — it marks the end of a decades-long injustice.

“This company prioritized profits over the community’s well-being for far too long, and this shutdown presents a welcome reprieve,” Superintendent Carvalho said. “Let this decision send a crystal-clear message: The safety of our schools and communities is not negotiable, and no company is above the law. Thank you to District Attorney Hochman for all your efforts in bringing the case to a successful end, and to all who fought for this community. While we celebrate the outcome together, we are adamant that this should never happen again, in any school district, anywhere.”

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said that his department is proud to work with community members and regional partners to protect public health.

“In coordination with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, our Health Hazardous Materials Division investigators conducted soil sampling at the Jordan High School property adjacent to the Atlas Metals property,” Fire Chief Marrone said. “Based on the findings from the search warrant and sampling activities, a Notice of Violation was issued citing significant hazardous waste violations. An enforcement case was prepared and referred to the District Attorney’s Office.”

The closure of Atlas Iron and Metal Corp. marks an important step toward justice for the Watts community, which continues to endure negative impacts from the company’s environmental violations, said Katherine M. Butler, director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC): “DTSC played a key role in holding this company accountable and remains committed to ensuring the site is cleaned and that the community of Watts is protected.”

The agreement mandates that Atlas pay $1 million in restitution to the Los Angeles Unified School District; $850,000 to be distributed among the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Los Angeles County Fire Health Hazardous Materials Division; and $150,000 in fines and penalties.

Company owners Gary Weisenberg (dob 8/27/46) of Encino and son Matthew Weisenberg (dob 1/28/88) of Los Angeles each pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of unlawful disposal of hazardous waste and one misdemeanor count of public nuisance. Both are expected to be sentenced to two years of probation, ordered to complete 200 hours of community service, and fined $10,500 each plus penalty assessments. Sentencing will be set for a later date.

As part of the agreement in case 24CJCF05804, Atlas must:

• Permanently cease all operations at its Alameda Street property.
• Fulfill DTSC-mandated remediation requirements and ensure thorough site cleanup.
• Relinquish all rights under the Jordan Downs Urban Village Specific Plan or any similar entitlement for operating a recycling materials processing facility.
• Immediately remove the container wall on its property in a manner approved by LAUSD, minimizing disruption to school operations.
• Execute a land use covenant restricting the site from being used for recycling, industrial, metalworking, or similar activities.
• Give LAUSD and the City of Los Angeles the right of first refusal on the sale of the property.

Located in the South Los Angeles/Watts area, the facility is adjacent to Jordan High School and the Jordan Downs Housing Development. The privately held metal recycling facility had been in business since 1949 processing scrap metal, as well as electronic waste. Despite its long-standing presence, the facility’s operations had increasingly violated environmental and safety regulations as far back as 2017.

Soil samples taken from an area of the high school showed excessive concentrations of lead and zinc. Additional samples taken at Atlas found excessive concentrations of seven metals. Metal debris allegedly from Atlas has been found at the high school.

On Aug. 12, 2024, at about 8:20 a.m., a fiery explosion occurred at the facility when students at the nearby school were arriving for their first day of classes. No one was injured in the blast.

District Attorney Hochman praised the efforts of Deputy District Attorneys Daniel Wright and Cynthia Valenzuela of the Environmental Crimes Division, along with the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. He also thanked the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Health Hazardous Materials Division and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Los Angeles Unified School District for their critical roles in holding Atlas accountable.

“Their dedication has not only brought this company to justice but has also made our communities safer, proving once again that enforcing environmental laws protects our residents,” District Attorney Hochman said.

View the explosion that occurred on August 12, 2024, at Atlas during Jordan High School’s first day of classes here.