Wal-Mart Pleads Guilty to Illegal Dumping in California

Will pay $81 million

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 Walmart 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.