The Mexican family that made $7.6 million from recycling cans and bottles was just charged with fraud

[Back over the border]

Recycling proved especially lucrative to a California family, who pocketed
$7.6 million from bringing used bottles and cans to California facilities.
Now, though, the state is accusing the clan of fraud, grand theft, and
conspiracy.

Officials, in a criminal complaint, allege that the eight family members
imported 178 tons of recyclables over the course of an eight-month period
from Arizona, then recycled them in California. The state charges
consumers an extra five or 10 cents when they buy a drink in a plastic or
aluminum bottle for what’s called the California Redemption Value (CRV).
Consumers can get that deposit back when they return the containers to the
state’s recycling centers.

State Attorney General Rob Bonta says the family in question (who have
different last names) effectively stole from consumers by bringing in the
additional containers from a state that does not charge a CRV fee. (Only
materials from California are eligible for redemption.)

“California’s recycling program is funded by consumers, and helps protect
our environment and our communities,” said Bonta in a statement. “Those
who try to undermine its integrity through criminal operations will be
held accountable.”

This isn’t the first time the state has prosecuted someone for allegedly
bringing in bottles and cans from other states. Last May, the California
Department of Justice charged six people with fraud in connection with
what it said was a $10 million recycling fraud scheme.

And some estimates suggest that between $40 million up to $200 million is
stolen from the California beverage container recycling program each year.

Obviously it's not worth doing then.

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/recycling-millionaires-charged-with-fraud-
california-arizona/?itm_source=parsely-api

https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-
docs/Felony%20Complaint%20for%20Arrest%20Warrant.pdf

[Scout]

"Back over the border" <kick.t...@border.us> wrote in message
news:ua7q97$iac$1...@toxic.dizum.net...

> Recycling proved especially lucrative to a California family, who pocketed
> $7.6 million from bringing used bottles and cans to California facilities.
> Now, though, the state is accusing the clan of fraud, grand theft, and
> conspiracy.
>
> Officials, in a criminal complaint, allege that the eight family members
> imported 178 tons of recyclables over the course of an eight-month period
> from Arizona, then recycled them in California. The state charges
> consumers an extra five or 10 cents when they buy a drink in a plastic or
> aluminum bottle for what's called the California Redemption Value (CRV).
> Consumers can get that deposit back when they return the containers to the
> state's recycling centers.
>
> State Attorney General Rob Bonta says the family in question (who have
> different last names) effectively stole from consumers by bringing in the
> additional containers from a state that does not charge a CRV fee. (Only
> materials from California are eligible for redemption.)

Solution show that California bottled/canned products show up in the
state(s) in question.

Then demand that the state prove that all of the materials were not made of
materials from California.

If they can't then the state doesn't have a case.