Facts

AutoZone, a multibillion-dollar Fortune 500 company, is the nation's largest retailer of automotive parts, with 3,600 stores nationwide, 400 of which are in California. A complaint was filed in 2005 claiming that AutoZone violated state Health and Safety Code provisions mandating safe oil storage and disposal.

Customers buying new oil at AutoZone would abandon their waste oil in store parking lots or in dumpsters. AutoZone breached its legal duty to have a licensed waste hauler dispose of the old oil. Allegations involving cashier scanners overcharging prices higher than shelf prices were also present.

Settlement Discussions

AutoZone settled with state Attorney General Jerry Brown and district attorneys of San Bernardino, Monterey, San Diego and San Joaquin counties. San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Christopher Warner signed the settlement. AutoZone admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement agreement.

Result

AutoZone will pay a $1 million fine and $300,000 in investigation and prosecution costs. An additional $200,000 will go to environmental training programs. AutoZone also agreed to an injunction permanently barring them from overcharging.

Other Information

PLEASE PROVIDE THE DATE OF THE SETTLEMENT _____________ PLEASE PROVIDE THE ADDRESS, TELEPHONE AND FAX NO. OF ATTY. JERRY BROWN