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O'Reilly Auto Parts To Pay $9.86 Million In Waste Mishandling Lawsuit

CORRECTION: This story originally incorrectly stated the settlement amount. The settlement was for $9.86 million. 

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The California District Attorney's Office announced a $9.86 million settlement against O'Riley Auto Parts on Thursday.

The settlement is in response to a lawsuit claiming over 500 O'Reilly stores throughout California "unlawfully handled, transported and disposed of used oil, used oil filters, and various hazardous wastes and materials over a five-year period."

Some of the waste included various toxic materials such as automotive fluids, alkaline batteries, electronic waste, aerosol cans, and ignitable corrosive wastes.

The allegations were brought against the business following inspections by environmental inspectors, investigators, and regulators in 2013 and 2014. They allege stores were continuously sending used oil, filters and hazardous waste to non-permitted waste landfills throughout California.

The suit also alleges that O'Reilly transported hazardous waste from its stores to California Distribution Centers without mandatory licenses.

"Protecting our environment and safely handling dangerous waste is paramount for all businesses in California," said San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. "Our environmental protection team did an outstanding job prosecuting this case and collaborating with other agencies to arrive at today's multi-million dollar judgment." He added.

Compliant throughout the investigation, O'Reilly has enhanced their practices in order to destroy hazardous waste, according to the D.A.'s office. And hazardous waste produced by California O'Reilly stores is being collected by state-registered haulers.

In picking up the pieces for the future of their company, O'Reilly is under strict court order and must pay $6 million in civil penalties. They also will pay $500,000 to reimburse investigation costs. On top of $1.51 million, this will fund supplemental environmental causes and projects statewide. O'Reilly will pay for the minimization of hazardous waste and work with compliance projects valued at 1.85 million dollars. San Diego's

O'Reilly will pay for the minimization of hazardous waste and work with compliance projects valued at $1.85 million.

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