SAN FRANCISCO — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges the company dumped hazardous waste in California.
Wal-Mart entered the plea in federal court in San Francisco to misdemeanor counts of negligently dumping pollutants from Wal-Mart stores into sanitation drains across California, a company spokeswoman said.
As part of the plea, the company will pay $81 million, which will also cover charges in Missouri.
In 2010, the company agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle similar allegations made by California authorities that led to changes in the retailer's practices nationwide. Wal-Mart was accused of improperly disposing pesticide, fertilizer and paint.