Regulators rule that MLB owner stole sand from public beach in Malibu

The MLB owner accused of stealing public sand for his private property in Malibu was indeed wrong to do so, state regulators say.

The California Coastal Commission sent Mark Attanasio, owner of the Milwaukee Brewers, a notice of violation related to sand sampling on Broad Beach.

MLB owner accused of stealing sand from Malibu beach

The notice follows a lawsuit filed by neighbor James Kohlberg, alleging he personally spotted Attanasio’s construction crew “using huge excavators in tidal areas, leaking oils and exposing life local navy to potentially dangerous by-products,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Kohlberg’s attorney, Tim McGinity, told KNX News that he is pleased that the CCC took note and believes that this incident – as well as a similar unreported incident in 2008 – demonstrates the merits of their pursuit.

“That’s something we didn’t know about before we filed our lawsuit, but I think it’s certainly because it’s a trend and a practice of dealing the beach as a personal sandbox,” McGinity said.

Kenneth Ehrlich, Attanasio’s attorney, said in a statement to KTLA that they did not break any laws and plan to respond to the CCC’s claims.

“Our client, 2XMD Partners, LLC, has consistently complied fully with the Coastal Act and all relevant laws, and we intend to submit a timely and complete factual response to the Coastal Commission’s letter” , Eherlich said.

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