By El Latino Newsroom
Terminix International Inc. and Rentokil North America Inc. have agreed to a $3.15 million settlement resolving allegations that the companies improperly handled and disposed of pesticides, hazardous waste and customer records containing personal information at facilities throughout California.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office participated in a statewide enforcement action against the companies, collectively referred to as Terminix. The settlement was filed in Alameda County Superior Court.
The case involves alleged violations identified at Terminix facilities between 2021 and 2024. Investigators found hundreds of instances involving the improper disposal of pesticides and hazardous waste at facilities across California.
The investigation also identified instances in which the company improperly managed and disposed of private customer records. Those records contained personal information and, according to the allegations resolved by the settlement, were handled in violation of California law.
Four current and former Terminix facilities in Ventura County are included in the judgment.
The enforcement action was conducted as a coordinated effort involving the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and district attorneys’ offices from 29 other California counties. The participation of local prosecutors reflects the statewide scope of the investigation and the alleged violations identified at Terminix facilities in different jurisdictions.
When Terminix was notified of the violations, the company was cooperative and responsive, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
The settlement requires Terminix to comply with a series of environmental and operational requirements designed to address the violations and strengthen compliance practices at its California facilities.
Settlement Requires Environmental Compliance Measures
As part of the judgment, Terminix is required to implement enhanced environmental compliance measures at its California facilities. The companies also must provide employee training addressing the proper handling and disposal of pesticides and hazardous waste.
The judgment requires the company to submit annual reports and undergo independent third-party audits of its California facilities for seven years.
The seven-year compliance period is intended to provide continued oversight of the company’s practices following the settlement. During that period, Terminix will be required to meet the conditions established by the judgment and demonstrate compliance with the requirements imposed under the agreement.
The settlement also includes civil penalties. The judgment provides for $500,000 in civil penalties to be suspended for seven years, subject to Terminix complying with the terms of the judgment.
The agreement represents the resolution of allegations against the companies and establishes specific requirements for future compliance. The settlement does not represent a criminal conviction.
Pesticides and hazardous waste are subject to state and federal requirements governing their handling, storage, transportation and disposal. Businesses that use or manage those materials are responsible for following applicable rules designed to prevent improper disposal and reduce potential risks to people and the environment.
The case also highlights the legal requirements surrounding customer records that contain personal information. Businesses are required to take appropriate steps when disposing of records containing private customer data rather than discarding them in a manner that could expose the information.
The investigation covered activities occurring over a period of several years, from 2021 through 2024. Investigators identified hundreds of instances involving the improper disposal of pesticides and hazardous waste at Terminix facilities throughout California.
The inclusion of four current and former facilities in Ventura County means the local district attorney’s office was directly involved in the statewide enforcement action.
Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Participated in Case
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office was among the 30 district attorneys’ offices involved in the judgment. The office’s Environmental Protection Unit handled the local participation in the case.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Edward Andrews, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Environmental Protection Unit, was assigned to the matter.
Under the settlement, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will receive $1,250 to cover investigation and enforcement costs associated with the case.
The settlement was filed in Alameda County Superior Court and applies to Terminix International Inc. and Rentokil North America Inc., which were collectively identified in the enforcement action as Terminix.
In addition to the financial provisions, the judgment establishes a seven-year period of enhanced oversight. Terminix must maintain its environmental compliance measures, conduct employee training, submit annual reports and participate in independent third-party audits of its California facilities.
The requirements are intended to provide ongoing monitoring of the company’s compliance with environmental and record-disposal requirements after the resolution of the investigation.
The statewide action involved prosecutors from Ventura County and 29 other California counties, reflecting the geographic scope of the investigation and the number of Terminix facilities included in the allegations.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said Terminix was cooperative and responsive after being notified of the violations.
The $3.15 million settlement resolves the allegations concerning improper handling and disposal of pesticide and hazardous waste, as well as the improper disposal of customer records containing personal information.
The judgment now places Terminix under additional compliance obligations for seven years. The companies must meet those requirements to remain eligible for the suspension of the $500,000 in civil penalties included in the settlement.
The case was investigated as part of a statewide enforcement effort involving local prosecutors across California. Ventura County officials said their office’s participation was carried out through the Environmental Protection Unit, with Andrews assigned to the case.
The settlement brings the enforcement action to a resolution while establishing continuing environmental compliance, training, reporting and independent audit requirements for Terminix facilities throughout California.
