The Waste Disposal Company You Never Heard Of

Stop Athens
http://stopathens.org/

Waste Management sues Athens, claims proposed rates are artificially low
In a filing submitted July 14 in Ventura County court, Waste Management argues that Athens is guilty of unfair business practices by way of intentionally trying to deceive the city with artificially low rates.
https://www.toacorn.com/articles/wm-sues-athens-claims-proposed-rates-are-artificially-low/

Judge rejects Athens Services-backed lawsuit; ballot measure on trash moves forward in Monterey Park
Councilman Frank Venti said he pushed for the ballot measure because companies can pressure city officials into awarding contracts that are costly for residents.

"I know council members can be bought just by strong campaign contributions," Venti said. "They feel obligated to give these exclusive contracts to companies."
https://www.sgvtribune.com/2011/01/05/judge-rejects-athens-services-backed-lawsuit-ballot-measure-on-trash-moves-forward-in-monterey-park/

Montebello residents voted to end Athens Services contract six years ago. So why is the company still picking up their trash?
Mike Torres, a Montebello resident who brought the suit claiming the council abused its power when it approved the 15-year, $150 million contract with Athens, said he was confused why it was taking so long for the city to start a new bidding process.

"They're screwing around with it," Torres said. "I don't know what they're doing. I want the city to go out and put it out to bid. Why are they letting (Athens) hold it up?"
https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2017/10/15/why-athens-is-still-picking-up-trash-in-montebello-despite-a-vote-requiring-the-city-to-seek-new-bids/


Flashback
Forging Safety Certificates
Garbage Company Probed Over Forgery Allegations : Investigation: Handwriting experts say CHP officer's signatures certifying corrections of West Covina truck safety violations are phony
When investigators checked court records, they discovered more than 60 verifications that the violations had been corrected, all apparently signed by the same CHP officer. Officials obtained a search warrant last week and found 22 of the company's trucks had defects, said Gary Kershaw of CHP.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-10-me-1819-story.html

Price Fixing
Industry: Haulers Plead No Contest
Two trash hauling firms and four employees of one of the companies have pleaded no contest to charges they plotted to eliminate competition and control prices in an antitrust case.

Pleading no contest in Los Angeles Municipal Court on Monday to one count of conspiracy against trade were Athens Disposal, based in the City of Industry; Ronald Arakelian Sr., the company president; his son, Ronald Arakelian Jr., an officer; Alan W. Lockwood, general manager; and Vincent Bruno, sales manager.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-16-ga-1859-story.html

Illegal Chemical Dumping in Monterey Park
Dump Cleanup to Take Years but It’s Already a Success
In the annals of toxic waste, a barren 40 stories of trash in southeast Monterey Park ranks as something of a success story.

The defunct Operating Industries Inc. dump, once considered one of the worst toxic hazards in the state and nation, cleaned up its act enough to win favorable comment in a 1988 federal study. These days, some people, with a straight face, even mention the possibility of someday growing plants on the site, sandwiched between Monterey Park and Montebello.

....The landfill has even played a role in elections. Gov. George Deukmejian, under attack for generous political contributions from landfill companies, acknowledged in 1986 that the dump's owners, Mike Harabedian, Jack Arakelian and
Tim Agajanian had been "friends of mine for a long, long time." But, the governor said, he had never discussed landfill operations with them.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-14-hd-140-story.html


Retail project stalled as cleanup of toxic landfill bogs down
Pasadena Star-News
Date: May 6, 2007
Former Gov. George Deukmejian urged the EPA to exempt the 45 acres of the site from the federal Superfund cleanup list. By preventing it from being on the list, the dump's owners, Operating Industries, would have been able to sell the land for $7.2 million.

Operating Industries owner Jack Arakelian, who had been friends with Deukmejian for nearly 20 years, contributed nearly $20,000 to his 1982 campaign. Deukmejian later pulled his request off the table, and the site was added to the Superfund list in 1986.


Whittier, Calif.-area residents sue waste firm, calling site a dirty shame
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Date: December 29, 2004
North Whittier and Avocado Heights residents are suing Athens Disposal Co., claiming the company's recycling facility on Valley Boulevard is a breeding ground for rats and roaches and a source of foul odors, air pollution and other problems.

Waste firm's expansion challenged
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Date: November 28, 2003
Raul Rodriguez, who has lived near Athens since 1991, said he hears noise at all hours and dust accumulates in his pool and on his vehicles. He has also noticed foul odors and an increased number of crows and sea gulls in the area. Athens has not done anything to help
neighbors, he said.