4JR Enterprises, Inc. (4JR) and its owners, Ahed and Rhoda Rabadi, of Los Angeles, entered a $100,000 settlement agreement for a history of noncompliance related to the operation of underground storage tanks (USTs) at their Ventura County facilities. 4JR operates two gasoline stations in Thousand Oaks (Rolling Oaks 76 and TR Oil-Alliance) and one station in Newbury Park (Newbury 76).
The $100,000 settlement is comprised of civil penalties and cost recovery to the Ventura County Environmental Health Division (VCEHD) and the District Attorney’s Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit (CEPU). This case was investigated by both agencies, which determined 4JR engaged in a pattern of significant violations under the law.
California law defines a “significant violation” as the failure of a person to comply with any requirement of Chapter 6.7 of the Health and Safety Code. Further, the law provides for the issuance of a significant violation when there is an imminent threat to human health or safety, or the environment. This includes tampering with a UST leak detection system.
Investigation determined that employees at the Rolling Oaks 76 station deliberately disabled an alarm sensor to prevent the shutdown of equipment, ensuring uninterrupted, illegal fuel sales.
The Newbury 76 station had a history of noncompliance related to their use of USTs dating back to July 2016 for operating without a valid permit. VCEHD documented continued noncompliance during follow-up inspections in February 2019 and June 2019. Additionally, the TR Oil-Alliance station had a history of documented noncompliance dating back to October 2019.
The settlement in this case includes an injunctive term requiring 4JR to comply with all applicable laws related to the operation of USTs. They will also be subject to continued monitoring and inspections by VCEHD to confirm compliance.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.
Follow the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on Twitter @VenturaDAOffice
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