Radius Recycling Fire: DA Case Dismissed – Mercury News
- Criminal charges against Radius Recycling, previously known as Schnitzer Steel, and two employees have been dropped by the alameda County District Attorney's office, ending a high-profile prosecution related...
- The dismissal comes shortly after a judge recused multiple prosecutors, citing negligence by the lead prosecutor.
- According to Casey Bates, a prosecutor with the DA's office, the decision was based on insufficient evidence to proceed to trial, following a thorough review of the case.
Breaking news: The Alameda county DA has dismissed charges against Radius Recycling and its employees following the 2023 West Oakland metal plant fire, a significant progress in the environmental case. The decision, made due to insufficient evidence, has drawn criticism from environmental advocates who are concerned about the broader implications and potential health impacts on the community. The prosecution focused on safety protocols and evidence handling after the fire at the plant. The legal battle, with a focus on the disposal of the “tin pile,” has now concluded. For more local news, explore News Directory 3. What does this meen for the future of environmental oversight and accountability in West oakland? Discover what’s next …
Charges Dropped Against Oakland Metal Plant After 2023 Fire
Updated May 27, 2025
Criminal charges against Radius Recycling, previously known as Schnitzer Steel, and two employees have been dropped by the alameda County District Attorney’s office, ending a high-profile prosecution related too a 2023 fire at the west Oakland metal crushing plant. The decision, made by District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, concludes a case initiated by her predecessor, Pamela Price, concerning a fire that allegedly released toxic smoke over the East Bay.
The dismissal comes shortly after a judge recused multiple prosecutors, citing negligence by the lead prosecutor. Radius Recycling, a metal recycling company, no longer faces potential fines of up to $33 million.Former DA Pamela Price had previously criticized the company’s “terrible legacy of environmental racism” during a July 2024 press conference.
According to Casey Bates, a prosecutor with the DA’s office, the decision was based on insufficient evidence to proceed to trial, following a thorough review of the case. The prosecution focused on an aug.9, 2023, fire at the company’s plant on Embarcadero West, which involved a large debris pile containing various metals. The fire burned for hours, prompting numerous pollution complaints and a shelter-in-place advisory from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
The grand jury indictment alleged a pattern of fires at the plant and accused employees of neglecting safety protocols and destroying evidence. Along with the company,General Manager Daniel Woltmann and terminal Manager Dane Morales were also indicted.
Margaret Gordon, an advocate against air pollution in West Oakland, voiced strong disapproval of the DA’s decision, arguing for greater accountability for Radius Recycling and emphasizing the health concerns of West Oakland residents.
The metal crushing plant has a history of environmental concerns, including a 2021 settlement were Radius agreed to pay $4.1 million over allegations of releasing hazardous metals into the air.
“We took a deep dive in the case,and after a thorough review of all the facts and evidence,we determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed further with the case,” said Casey Bates.
Bates emphasized the DA’s commitment to environmental protection and public safety, stating that the decision was guided by the principle of proceeding only with sufficient evidence.
The legal battle hinged significantly on the 40-ton “tin pile” left by the fire.Disagreements arose over whether Radius was permitted to clean up the pile or if it shoudl have been preserved as evidence. Prosecutors initially claimed the cleanup constituted destruction of evidence, while Radius’ attorneys argued they allowed authorities to inspect the debris and were eliminating a fire risk.
Judge Scott Patton criticized the prosecution’s handling of the evidence, noting that a letter sent to radius did not specifically mention the burn pile and that allowing the pile to remain could have created a public health hazard.
What’s next
While this specific case is closed, scrutiny of Radius Recycling’s environmental practices in West Oakland is highly likely to continue, with community advocates pushing for stricter oversight and accountability to protect public health and address concerns about air pollution and environmental justice.