Regulators rule 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 in the wrong to do so, according to state regulators.

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

The notice follows a lawsuit from neighbor James Kohlberg alleging that he’d personally spotted Attanasio’s construction team “operating enormous excavators in tidal zones, leaking oils and exposing local marine life to potentially hazardous byproducts,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times .

Kohlberg’s attorney, Tim McGinity, told KNX News that they’re pleased the CCC has taken notice and feel this incident — and a previously unreported similar incident in 2008 — attest to the merits of their suit.

“That is something we did not know before we filed our lawsuit, but I think it certainly goes to, you know, this is a pattern and practice of treating the beach as a personal sandbox,” McGinity said.

Kenneth Ehrlich, Attanasio’s attorney, said in a statement to KTLA that they have broken no laws and plan to respond to the CCC’s claims.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.