LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The state attorney general and three county prosecutors sued the auto-parts chain AutoZone on Wednesday, accusing it of illegally dumping hazardous waste at many of the company's 410 California stores.
Hazardous materials were illegally dumped in storm drains and used oil and filters were improperly stored or removed, according to the $12 million lawsuit filed by the Attorney General's Office and prosecutors in Monterey, San Bernardino and San Joaquin counties.
The lawsuit does not specify the number of alleged violations, but Attorney General Bill Lockyer said in a statement that prosecutors believe almost all of the chain's California outlets were involved in the improper storage and disposal.
''We are bringing this enforcement action to show California's hazardous waste laws aren't just words in a code book,'' Lockyer said.
Autozone spokesman Ray Pohlman defended the company.
''The allegations made by the attorney general are gross misrepresentations of the facts, and we look forward to the opportunity to defend our position in court,'' he said.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department found hazardous waste violations at an AutoZone facility in San Bernardino, and additional violations were found at all of the approximately 50 stores investigated in San Bernardino, Monterey and San Joaquin counties, according to Lockyer's office.
Those findings led the prosecutors to believe most of the company's 410 California stores have violated waste laws, according to Lockyer's office.
The company has not corrected any of the violations, the lawsuit said.
Memphis, Tenn.-based AutoZone has more than 3,500 domestic stores and more than 70 stores in Mexico. The company sells automotive parts, maintenance items, and accessories.
The company's stock closed at $93.22 on the New York Stock Exchange, down $1.21. The lawsuit was filed after the close of trading Wednesday.
