California Waste Broker Accused of Embezzling Millions

Date: December 27, 2008

Source: News Room

Santa Clara County Calif. prosecutors have accused a local waste broker of embezzling millions that otherwise should have been paid to Waste Management in a scheme that lasted more than a decade. According to the Associated Press, James Lucero, 52, pocketed fees from clients and paid bribes to employees of Waste Management's Kirby Canyon landfill in San Jose to waive disposal fees or misclassify waste contents to lower those fees. Waste Management, which claims to be out $13 million, subsequently fired nine employees allegedly involved and is working to repay the city of San Jose for taxes and fees it lost in the scam.

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