After a thorough investigation that spanned more than a year, the California Department of Justice announced that “it will not pursue criminal charges against Southern California Edison” in connection with the 2018 Woolsey Fire that burned in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, determining that “there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution.”
“We are pleased that the investigation resulted in the just decision not to pursue criminal charges,” said partner Andrew Walsh. “We worked with Southern California Edison closely in cooperation with the California Department of Justice’s careful and thorough investigation. And we remain committed to working closely with Southern California Edison to compensate fire victims through the civil process.”
According to the Department of Justice and Cal Fire, the Woolsey Fire burned 96,949 acres of land, destroyed 1,643 structures, damaged 341 structures, prompted the evacuation of more than 295,000 people, and resulted in three fatalities. The Department of Justice’s decision not to charge follows their prior decision not to bring criminal charges in connection with the 2017 Thomas Fire that burned in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. We also worked closely with Southern California Edison in cooperation with the California Department of Justice to achieve that declination.
Read more here.
The Hueston Hennigan team includes John Hueston, Doug Dixon, Andrew Walsh, Vicki Chou, Mike Behrens, Derek Flores, Ellen Kenney, Samantha Schnier, David Sarfati, Dan Vinson, Joseph Crusham, and Winston Shi.
Media Coverage
Los Angeles Times
U.S. News & World Report
NY Daily News
CNN
Daily Journal