Rapid Plumbing Inc

A plumbing service chain that does work throughout the San Fernando Valley was fined $11,700 after owners pleaded no contest to charges that employees undertook earthquake-repair construction without clients' full approval, authorities said. The charges target the Torrance-based Rapid Plumbing Inc.

A plumbing service chain that does work throughout the San Fernando Valley was fined $11,700 after owners pleaded no contest to charges that employees undertook earthquake-repair construction without clients' full approval, authorities said. The charges target the Torrance-based Rapid Plumbing Inc.

In an unusual twist to conventional sentencing practices, the city of Los Angeles is requiring merchants who illegally jacked up prices after the Northridge earthquake to give money to a disaster-relief organization as part of their punishment. Today, City Atty. James Hahn will present $16,300 in "donations" from convicted swindlers to the American Red Cross during a ceremony at the organization's headquarters in San Pedro.