Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that Atlas Iron and Metal Corp. has pleaded no contest to five felony counts of hazardous waste disposal at an unpermitted site, resulting in the immediate and permanent closure of all operations on its premises.
“This outcome shuts down a dangerous facility that has threatened this community for more than 75 years. Today, Watts is safer and the children and educators at Jordan High School can breathe easier – literally and figuratively,” Hochman said.
The closure of Atlas Iron and Metal Corp. marks an important step toward justice for the Watts community, which continues to endure negative impacts from the company’s environmental violations, said Katherine M. Butler, director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC): “DTSC played a key role in holding this company accountable and remains committed to ensuring the site is cleaned and that the community of Watts is protected.”
The agreement mandates that Atlas pay $1 million in restitution to the Los Angeles Unified School District; $850,000 to be distributed among the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Los Angeles County Fire Health Hazardous Materials Division; and $150,000 in fines and penalties.
Company owners Gary Weisenberg of Encino and son Matthew Weisenberg of Los Angeles each pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of unlawful disposal of hazardous waste and one misdemeanor count of public nuisance. Both are expected to be sentenced to two years of probation, ordered to complete 200 hours of community service, and fined $10,500 each plus penalty assessments. Sentencing will be set for a later date.
As part of the agreement, Atlas must:
Permanently cease all operations at its Alameda Street property.
Fulfill DTSC mandated remediation requirements and ensure thorough site cleanup.
Relinquish all rights under the Jordan Downs Urban Village Specific Plan or any similar entitlement for operating a recycling materials processing facility.
Immediately remove the container wall on its property in a manner approved by LAUSD, minimizing disruption to school operations.
Execute a land use covenant restricting the site from being used for recycling, industrial, metalworking or similar activities.
Give LAUSD and the City of Los Angeles the right of first refusal on the sale of the property.
The privately held metal recycling facility had been in business since 1949 processing scrap metal, as well as electronic waste. The facility’s operations had increasingly violated environmental and safety regulations as far back as 2017.
Soil samples taken from an area of the high school showed excessive concentrations of lead and zinc. Additional samples taken at Atlas found excessive concentrations of seven metals. Metal debris allegedly from Atlas has been found at the high school.
Published July 2025