(Thechieftainspear) –The former owner of a now-closed dry cleaning business in Ventura County has been ordered to pay over $30,000 after illegally dumping hazardous waste in Los Angeles County, authorities announced this week.
Shija Cho, who operated Unique Cleaners on East Main Street in Ventura, was found responsible for disposing of two barrels of toxic materials in a Reseda alleyway in July 2024. The barrels were discarded roughly a month after Cho’s dry cleaning operation ceased business.
One of the drums contained perchloroethylene, a toxic solvent commonly used in dry cleaning, while the other held used filters and sludge from the shop’s operations. Both substances are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency due to their hazardous nature.
Officials confirmed through laboratory testing that the waste exceeded legal toxicity levels, making it dangerous under both state and federal guidelines.
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Prosecutors presented compelling evidence, including photos, interviews, and lab results, showing that the materials were improperly handled and transported without the required licensed hazardous waste haulers. The waste was left abandoned in the Reseda area, posing a potential environmental threat.
As part of a settlement, Cho has agreed to pay a total of $32,065 in civil penalties and costs. Additionally, the former business owner must adhere to hazardous waste regulations at a new dry cleaning facility in Camarillo.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko emphasized the importance of businesses complying with laws surrounding hazardous waste disposal. “We remain committed to ensuring public health and environmental safety by holding business owners accountable for their role in handling dangerous materials,” Nasarenko stated. “This case serves as a reminder that toxic waste must be properly managed from start to finish.”
