SANTA ANA, Calif.—The company behind last year’s oil spill off the coast of Southern California pleaded guilty Sept. 8 to negligently discharging about 25,000 gallons of crude when its underwater pipeline ruptured, causing a temporary closure of beaches and fisheries.
In a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Amplify Energy and two of its subsidiaries—Beta Operating Co. and San Pedro Bay Pipeline Co.—pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge. U.S. District Judge David O. Carter sentenced the company to pay a $7.1 million fine and $5.8 million to reimburse the Coast Guard for expenses from the oil spill.
