LOS ANGELES (CN) - Standard Hotel was charged last week with dumping pool acid and chlorine into a storm drain, resulting in a gas that sickened several people and prompted fears of a terrorist attack.
A subway station and intersection were closed for several hours while the hazardous gasses spewed from storm drains.
Illegally disposing of hazardous waste carries a maximum fine of $500,000.
The Standard Hotel in downtown Los Angeles is operated by New York-based HotelsAB.
Assistant Unites States Attorney Joseph Johns, the chief of the Environmental Crimes Section, is pursuing the operators of Standard Hotel, and their representatives will appear in federal court on February 9.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.