Owners of S&W Atlas Iron & Metal Co. Sentenced for Hazardous Waste Disposal Near Watts High School

Sentencing for Atlas Iron & Metal Co. Owners

• ⚖️ Matthew and Gary Weisenberg, owners of the now-shuttered S&W Atlas Iron & Metal Company, received two years of probation.
• 📜 This sentencing follows a plea deal with the LA County District Attorney, where they pleaded no contest to disposal of hazardous waste without a permit.

Environmental Wrongdoing and Health Concerns

• 🏭 The metal salvage and recycling yard, located adjacent to Jordan High School in Watts, faced accusations of endangering students.
• ⚠️ Officials described the hazards as metal projectiles, debris, and metallic dust impacting children on campus over several years.
• 💥 An explosion at the scrapyard on the first day of school in the fall of 2024 further highlighted the risks.

Legal Battle and Plea Deal Details

• 📅 LA Unified School District officials had been in conflict with Atlas over these issues for 7 to 8 years.
• ⚖️ In September, the owners were indicted on 25 felony counts for violating environmental and safety regulations dating back to 2017.
• 🤝 As part of the plea deal, Atlas agreed to permanently close the site, clean up the property, and pay $2 million in restitution.

Reactions to the Sentencing

• ✅ Environmental activists expressed mixed feelings, with some satisfied the criminal perpetrator was shut down, while others felt the outcome was not sufficient.
• 📣 There is a hope that the Atlas property will be given to the community.
• 🏫 LA Unified School District officials stated they are pleased the active risks to students are over and emphasized the importance of accountability and cleanup.