United States Environmental Protection Agency | Hino Motors pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Government and pay a $521.76 million fine.

Between 2010 and 2019, Hino Motors engineers altered and fabricated Clean Air Act test data, smuggling over 105,000 non-conforming diesel engines into the U.S. Hino was sentenced to a $521.76 million criminal fine, five years probation banning diesel engine imports, a $1.087 billion forfeiture judgment, and a comprehensive compliance programme. EPA and FBI agents investigated the case.

Insurance Journal | James G. Walker of Washington, D.C. has been found guilty on two counts of second-degree murder, and 27 criminal building code violations, for the deaths of two tenants who were unable to exit when his building erupted in flames.

On the morning of 18 August 2019, a fire in the basement of 708 Kennedy Street killed two tenants, Fitsum Kebede (40) and Yafet Solomen (10), from thermal burns and smoke inhalation. Prosecutors showed Walker knew of fire safety violations and ignored warnings to correct them.

Walker lacked a certificate of occupancy, operated the building as an illegal “rooming house,” failed to install or maintain smoke alarms, and blocked escape routes with double-keyed security gates.

The case was heard in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb.

California Department of Industrial Relations | The Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) has taken enforcement action totaling more than $1.1 million against Buena Park restaurant Food Source LLC for wage theft violations and failure to comply with paid sick leave requirements.

The total includes $532,561 in citations to compensate 73 workers for unpaid wages, failure to pay overtime, liquidated damages, and incomplete wage statements. Additionally, the LCO filed a lawsuit seeking $575,803 in unpaid wages, damages, and penalties for paid sick leave violations.

These violations impacted at least 90 workers. Under California’s Healthy Workplace, Healthy Families Act, employees accrue one hour of sick leave per 30 hours worked, with usage allowed after 90 days of employment and a cap of 80 hours.

Home Depot agreed to pay $65,000 to settle MDHR claims of sexual harassment in its Fridley, MN store, where three co-workers harassed an employee over three years. Home Depot must enforce anti-harassment policies, provide training, and ensure manager accountability under state law.

Flying Circus Washington LLC (Sky Zone Seattle) faces over $68,000 in fines for youth employment violations: 57 minors worked >5 hours without breaks on 537 occasions; breaches of weekly and daily hour limits under WA law. The park also lacked fall protection training during a zip-line repair at 12 feet high.

Hino Motors, Ltd. and U.S. subsidiaries reached criminal and civil resolutions valued at over $1.6 billion for a Clean Air Act and smuggling conspiracy involving 110,000+ non-conforming diesel engines (2010–2022). The plea includes a $521.76 million criminal fine, $1.087 billion forfeiture, probation, and a civil penalty of $525 million. Mitigation and recall programmes will offset excess emissions.

U.S. Department of Labor | A Chambersburg soap and detergent manufacturer faces $161,310 in OSHA penalties after a July 2024 nitrogen dioxide gas release sent 12 workers to hospital (two admitted).

AFCO (subsidiary of Zep Inc.) had no emergency response plan, did not evacuate workers, and lacked compliant respiratory protection and hazard communication programmes. OSHA issued one repeat, nine serious, and two other-than-serious violations. The company may contest or comply within 15 business days.

The EPA and DOJ announced a settlement with Manitowoc Company, Inc. and subsidiaries for Clean Air Act violations: importing/selling 1,032 uncertified non-road diesel engines (2014–2018). Manitowoc will pay a $42.6 million penalty and retrofit a diesel locomotive to zero-emission standard in Sparrows Point, MD, with benefits to overburdened communities.

An order requires Ameren Missouri to spend $61 million to mitigate Clean Air Act violations and 14 years of unpermitted SO₂ emissions at its Rush Island power plant. $25 million funds HEPA filters for 125,000 low-income households; $36 million for zero-emission school buses or alternative energy efficiency projects. The original CAA compliance order dates to a 2017 ruling upheld on appeal.

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