Los Angeles files criminal charges against SoCalGas over massive gas leak

Southern California Gas could be fined up to $25,000 for each of the three days it didn't notify the state of the leak in the Porter Ranch community

The utility company whose blown-out natural gas well forced the evacuation of thousands of people in the Los Angeles area faced criminal charges on Tuesday for failing to report the massive breach to the authorities.

With the criminal complaint, Southern California Gas Company faces mounting legal challenges for its response to the underground blow-out of its natural gas storage well, which was discovered on 23 October.