DGDG Automotive, also known as Del Grande Dealer Group, will pay $290,000 in penalties after a judge determined the company unlawfully disposed of waste from car repairs.
The lawsuit, brought by District Attorney Jeff Rosen’s office, claims DGDG did not properly manage hazardous waste, such as brake parts cleaner, automotive fluids, and parts containing circuit boards. The settlement also resolves allegations that the company failed to redact or shred paperwork containing customer information, before throwing it away in the trash.
“Hazardous waste and documents containing confidential customer information must be disposed of properly to avoid harm to the environment and consumers,” Rosen said. “It may be more expensive to do it, but it’s the law and it’s worth it.”
On Monday, a judge ordered DGDG to pay $215,000 in civil penalties.
In addition, DGDG was ordered to pay approximately $50,000 for the cost of the investigation and $25,000 to help fund the training of California regulators, according to the DA’s office. DGDG was also ordered to designate an employee to manage and oversee its hazardous waste management and employee training programs.
The DA said DGDG cooperated with prosecutors during the investigation and took significant steps to improve its compliance with the environmental and consumer protection violations brought to its attention.
The investigation began in 2021 when DA’s Office investigators conducted unannounced inspections of DGDG trash containers and found hazardous waste and pages of customer records.
DGDG has 16 locations in Northern California, including Capitol Volkswagen, Capitol Chevrolet, and Stevens Creek Mazda.