Robert H. O'Brien
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Robert H. O'Brien was an assigned judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California.[1]
Noteworthy cases
Judge orders partial shut down of Sriracha sauce factory
The city of Irwindale, California has filed suit against a nearby Sriracha hot sauce factory, claiming the pungent odors emanating from the Huy Fong Foods plant are harming residents. Complaints of burning eyes and sore throats, as well as headaches and nosebleeds, have been reported.
Attorneys for the city requested that Judge O'Brien issue a temporary restraining order to stop all production at the factory. The judge refused, instead scheduling a hearing to consider a preliminary injunction.
In 2013, Huy Fong Foods increased production of their signature hot sauce in Irwindale. The bulk of hot sauce production occurs during the jalepeño pepper harvest season, which lasts about three and a half months and begins in August.[2]
On November 26, Judge O'Brien ruled in favor of the city, ordering a partial shut-down of the Siracha factory. The ruling does not specify what actions the factory must take, but says that Huy Fong Foods must stop the operations that cause the smell and make changes to the process.[3]
City expands lawsuit against hot sauce maker
Lawyers for the city of Irwindale are now also alleging the company breached their contract with the city. By emitting harmful odors, Huy Fong Foods violated a clause of their permit to operate their factory, and the city plans to amend their complaint to include the new claim. Currently, the city and Huy Fong Foods are negotiating over what equipment the company must install to prevent harmful odors from being released into the air around the factory.[4] If the company and the city can reach an agreement, a trial could be avoided.See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Los Angeles Superior Court, "Judicial Officers," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ The Modesto Bee, "Calif. city's bid to close Sriracha plant denied," October 31, 2013
- ↑ CBC News, "Sriracha hot sauce factory ordered to partially shut down," November 27, 2013
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "More legal woes for Sriracha plant in fight with Irwindale," January 31, 2014
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Central District of California, Eastern District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Central District of California, Eastern District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California
State courts:
California Supreme Court • California Courts of Appeal • California Superior Courts
State resources:
Courts in California • California judicial elections • Judicial selection in California
