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Raytheon Shifts Homeowners' Lawsuits To Federal Court

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MARK DOUGLAS

News Channel 8

Published: May 13, 2008

Raytheon is making a federal case out of two class-action lawsuits filed by homeowners in St. Petersburg.

The law firm of Kirkland and Ellis filed a "removal of an action" petition that automatically moves two lawsuits filed against Raytheon to federal court.

Those lawsuits arose after a Target Eight/Tampa Tribune investigation in March revealed toxic waste from Raytheon is polluting the Azalea neighborhood.

Raytheon and the state knew about the pollution for years but failed to warn homeowners about a spreading plume of industrial waste under their homes.

Recent tests show at least six private irrigation wells in the neighborhood are now contaminated from chemicals that started leaking 17 years ago when e-systems occupied the property now owned by Raytheon.

Brian Barr, one of the lawyers representing homeowners in one of the two class-action lawsuits, says his team at the Levin, Papantonio environmental law firm in Pensacola is considering an appeal of the move to federal jurisdiction, to bring the lawsuit back to state court.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection expects to receive a final assessment report from Raytheon on the extent of groundwater pollution by May 30; a cleanup plan is due 60 days after that.

Raytheon says any cleanup required by the state won't begin until sometime next year.

Previous tests show contamination has spread at least half a mile from Raytheon's defense plant in northwest St. Petersburg.

The plant is now for sale.

Raytheon has not set an asking price.

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