Press Release  AG Campbell Secures $525,000 Settlement With Republic Services For Failing To Honor Waste Disposal Contract With Lawrence

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced a $525,000 settlement agreement with JRM Hauling and Recycling Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Republic Services, Inc. (together, “Republic”) to resolve allegations that Republic repeatedly failed to honor its waste and recycling contract with the City of Lawrence leading to uncollected trash that caused unsanitary conditions across the city.  

The Attorney General’s Office (“AGO”) began investigating Republic in 2022 following public reports of significant disruptions to waste management services in North Shore communities after Republic’s acquisition of JRM Hauling and Recycling Services, Inc. (“JRM”). The investigation focused on Republic’s conduct in Lawrence where the disruptions were most egregious, including repeated failure to empty overflowing trash dumpsters and recycling containers across the Lawrence Public School system, delayed or disregarded residential trash pickups, uncollected yard waste, and inadequate customer service.  

The AGO alleges Republic violated the Massachusetts False Claims Act by misrepresenting its capacity to serve Lawrence by forecasting a “seamless transition” and committing to providing the “same level of service” residents had been accustomed to, despite knowing it did not have the personnel or equipment to back up these statements. The AGO also alleges that Republic pre-billed Lawrence for four months of waste hauling and recycling services it knew it could not provide, and for which Republic was paid. 

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Nick Cantrell and Investigator Liudmila Mignosa of the AGO’s False Claims Division, Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Regional Chief Ann Refolo, and Chief of the AGO’s Central Massachusetts Regional Office Bernardo Cuadra.  

The AGO’s False Claims Division safeguards public funds and promotes integrity and accountability in public contracting, including by holding to account individuals and companies that make false statements to obtain government contracts or funds and enforcing the Massachusetts False Claims Act. Individuals may report potential fraud and abuse relating to state or municipal contracts or funds by calling the AGO’s False Claims Tip Line at 617-963-2600. 

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