Allegations of mismanagement and overspending in California’s fire cleanup efforts have emerged in a recent whistleblower trial. Former and current state officials, including Steven Larson, a former debris operations manager, claimed that lucrative debris removal contracts following major wildfires were mishandled. According to the Los Angeles Times, Larson alleged that toxic contamination was left behind in communities affected by the fires.
The trial, held in Sacramento, found that while Larson was retaliated against, the agency had other legitimate reasons for his dismissal. The case highlighted concerns about the state’s fire response and management capabilities, especially as some of the same contractors are now involved in cleanup efforts for the Palisades and Eaton fires.
The trial introduced evidence, including an unpublished audit of 2018 cleanup operations, which pointed to poor oversight and overcharging by contractors. Beritaja.com reported that the audit flagged $457 million in change orders, with inadequate approval processes in place.
Despite these allegations, state officials and contractors, including Environmental Chemical Corp. (ECC), denied wrongdoing. ECC stated that they followed directives from state and federal agencies and maintained that all debris types and volumes were inspected by CalRecycle.
The trial also revealed concerns about cleanup efforts following the Camp, Woolsey, and Hill fires, with FEMA reimbursing the state over $1 billion for these operations. Larson’s attorney, Maria Bourn, emphasized the need for government accountability, citing “massive irregularities” by contractors.
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