Four misdemeanor charges have been filed by California's attorney general to the company responsible for the huge methane leak that's been going on in Aliso Canyon since October, which has forced residents out of 5,000 homes.

Raw Story reports that the latest civil complaint accuses Southern California Gas Co, a division of San Diego-based Sempra Energy, of its state health and safety laws violations. The company simply failed to promptly control the leaking gas and report the leak to the authorities. The lawsuit also includes the environmental damage caused by the release of over 80,000 metric tons of methane. Methane gas is a stronger greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

The lawsuit argues that "Against the backdrop of California's ongoing efforts to reduce [greenhouse gas] emissions generally, this leak is a monumental environmental disaster."

In a written statement published by Reuters, District Attorney Jackie Lacey said that while no lawsuit will offer a complete solution for the affected residents, it is important that the company, Southern California Gas Co, be held responsible for its criminal violations.

Los Angeles Times reported the statement released by, Kristine Lloyd, the spokeswoman for the company, saying they have just been notified about the lawsuit and they are reviewing it.  "We have been working with regulatory agencies to mitigate the odors associated with the natural gas leak and to abate the gas leak as quickly as safety allows. We will defend ourselves vigorously through the judicial process."

The methane leak that displaced thousands of residents in the nearby area came from a damaged underground pipeline at the company's 3,600 acre natural gas storage field. The people who have inhaled the leaked methane have complained of minor symptoms caused by inhaling methane, which are headaches, nosebleeds and nausea. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties, injunctions to enforce regulations, and restitution.