VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Carlos Nelson Rivas (DOB 04/30/55), of Camarillo, entered a settlement with the District Attorney’s Office following an unlawful deposit of a toxic substance into the Ventura Harbor. Rivas is the owner of Rivas Fish Company Inc., and former operator of the commercial fishing boat “Albatro.” Rivas was charged with unfair business practices based on negligent maintenance of the boat which caused it to partially sink and release diesel fuel into the harbor.
On June 2, 2018, the Ventura Harbor District (VHD) was notified that Albatro was listing in its slip. Upon arriving on scene, VHD observed red dye diesel in the water surrounding the sinking boat. The United States Coast Guard and the VHD immediately performed containment and cleanup efforts to control and collect the fuel spill. During the cleanup, 24 drums of hazardous waste and contaminated debris were recovered from the harbor and transported to a licensed disposal facility.
Under the terms of the settlement, Rivas will pay the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) $3,000 for investigative costs and a $1,999 civil penalty to the District Attorney’s Office. The settlement also requires Rivas to comply with all applicable laws in future business operations.
This settlement is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the DFW and the District Attorney’s Office Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit.
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