City Files Charges Against Sun Valley Recycler

The owners of a Sun Valley scrap metal recycler have been charged by the Los Angeles City Attorney for allegedly failing to properly store and dispose of hazardous waste. Brian Kassoff, 52, and Carlos Almazan, 43, and their business, ANK Metal Recycling LP, at 8832 Brandley Ave., were named in 19 counts of violating the California Health and Safety Code and the Los Angeles Municipal Code. Specifically, the pair are alleged to have illegally disposed or improperly stored toxic and hazardous substances, including diesel fuel, heavy metals, refrigerant gases and asbestos. The charges come as a result of three separate inspections conducted by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. The case was subsequently referred to the city attorney for prosecution. City Attorney Mike Feuer said that businesses handling potentially dangerous materials have an obligation to dispose of them in a proper, lawful manner. “When they allegedly don’t meet that obligation, we’ll fight to hold them accountable,” Feuer said in a prepared statement. If convicted on all counts, Kassoff and Almazan face up to 11 years and six months in prison and $415,000 in fines.