A California judge has ordered Rhode Island-based pharmacy chain CVS to pay $13.75 million in fines to 45 cities and towns in the Golden State for improper dumping of hazardous materials and hypodermic needles.

“The Rhode Island-based chain came under investigation two years ago after allegations that it mishandled medical, pharmaceutical and photographic waste at California stores over a seven-year period,” reports the Associated Press.

According to Palo Alto Patch: “The investigation began after environmental enforcement officials from the state of Connecticut similarly inspect CVS’s practices. California health inspectors and prosecutors found evidence of the violations and worked with CVS stores to correct these practices.”

$13.75 million. That hurts, and so it should!