District Attorney Jones Dickson dismisses scrap metal fire case against recycling company

District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson dismissed a case against Radius Recycling linked to a fire at its West Oakland facility, citing insufficient evidence to proceed. The case had previously garnered attention under former DA Pamela Price, who pursued a 10-count indictment seeking penalties up to $33 million. The August 2023 fire, which burned for hours, drew numerous complaints and led to environmental fines for Radius. Despite the evidence gathered, including testimony from 50 witnesses, Jones Dickson's office determined that the case could not move forward. Price criticized the dismissal as "outrageous," emphasizing the need for accountability in corporate conduct.

Radius' legal team argued that the case was politically charged, suggesting that Price's statements during her recall election influenced public perception. They also refuted claims of evidence destruction, stating that they allowed inspections of the fire debris. The dismissal raises concerns about the enforcement of environmental regulations and corporate responsibility in Alameda County.