Rite Aid to pay fine for dumping

Los Angeles -- Rite Aid Corp. has been ordered to pay more than $12 million to settle a civil environmental protection lawsuit filed in California claiming about 600 of its stores illegally dumped pesticides, bleach and other toxics, the Associated Press reported.



The lawsuit was filed last month by the district attorneys of Los Angeles, San Joaquin and Riverside counties, with a total of 52 California district attorneys joining the civil action.



Authorities say inspectors found Rite Aid illegally trucked and dumped pesticides, bleach, paint, solvents and other toxics in landfills.



A permanent injunction prohibits the company from engaging in similar action again. Stores will be required to retain their hazardous waste in segregated, labeled containers.