New Yorkers sentenced for asbestos crimes

John Phelps of Hastings, NY, Thomas Strong of Cicero, NY, and Northern Environmental Services Inc., were all sentenced on Dec. 14, 2000, for various federal crimes stemming from the illegal removal of asbestos at the Lamson building in Syracuse, NY.

The illegal stripping, removal, transportation, and disposal of asbestos can expose workers and the public to the inhalation of asbestos fibers. The fibers are a known cause of lung cancer, a lung disease known as "asbestosis," and mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the chest and abdominal cavities.

Phelps previously pleaded guilty to directing workers to violate prohibitions in the Clean Air Act against the illegal stripping, removal, transportation, and disposal of asbestos. He was sentenced to 37 months in prison, was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, and ordered to serve three years of supervised release after he is released from prison.

Strong previously pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to crimes committed by Northern Environmental personnel. He was placed on three years probation, fined $15,000, and was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. Northern Environmental Services, which is now out of business, was fined $55,000. This amount is equal to the company's remaining assets.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigation Division and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Department of Labor's Asbestos Control Unit. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Syracuse, NY prosecuted the case.

By Sandy Smith
Managing Editor, Safety Online
E-mail: ssmith@verticalnet.com