Wal-Mart pleads guilty in Calif hazardous waste

SAN FRANCISCO — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has pleaded guilty to charges the company dumped hazardous waste in California. A company spokeswoman says Wal-Mart entered the plea Tuesday in San Francisco federal court to misdemeanor counts of negligently dumping pollutants from Walmart stores into sanitation drains across California. As part of the plea, the company will pay $81 million, which will also cover charges in Missouri. In 2010, the company agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle similar allegations made by California authorities that led to changes in the retailer’s practices nationwide. Wal-Mart was accused of improperly disposing pesticide, fertilizer and paint.