Tacoma, WA – Alan Wheeler was sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine after pleading guilty to fraud related to a widespread asbestos training certification scheme, according to court documents filed in Pierce County Superior Court. The case, originating in September 2014, reveals a deliberate effort by Environmental Management Training (EMT), a Tacoma-based limited liability corporation, to falsify asbestos worker certifications and circumvent Washington State environmental regulations.
The investigation, led by state authorities, uncovered a pattern of fraudulent activity orchestrated by EMT owner/operators Timothy Pinckney and Pamela Pepper. The pair allegedly falsified training records, submitted false documentation to the state, and facilitated training across state lines without proper reporting. Both Pinckney and Pepper have already been convicted on multiple counts stemming from the investigation (Pierce County Superior Court Cause Nos. 14-1-01427-1 and 14-1-04129-7).
Wheeler’s role in the scheme involved acting as a course instructor for EMT while knowingly participating in the fraudulent practices. He received instructor fees despite not actually conducting the required training courses. This allowed EMT to profit by providing certifications to individuals who hadn’t met the necessary training requirements, putting workers and the public at risk of asbestos exposure.
The fraudulent scheme extended beyond EMT, implicating companies like Rhine Demolition, L.L.C. Project Coordinator Deanna Peters, acting as the point of contact between Rhine Demolition and EMT, was found to have routinely requested and received fraudulent asbestos, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER), and lead/silica worker certifications. Rhine Demolition sought these certifications to avoid the costs and downtime associated with legitimate, state-mandated annual refresher training. By bypassing these requirements, the company could maintain productivity in asbestos-related projects, investigators allege.
Peters also pled guilty in February 2015, receiving a 5-day jail sentence and a $500 fine. The case highlights the financial incentives driving the fraud; legitimate training requires employee attendance, costing companies valuable work hours. The EMT scheme allowed Rhine Demolition to avoid these costs, prioritizing profit over worker safety and regulatory compliance.
The violations center around falsifying documentation related to Washington State’s environmental regulations pertaining to asbestos handling and hazardous waste training. The penalties levied against Wheeler and Peters reflect the seriousness with which the state views these offenses, particularly given the health risks associated with improper asbestos handling. Authorities are continuing to investigate other potential participants in the scheme and assess the full extent of the damage caused by the fraudulent certifications.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Alan Wheeler
- Crime: Fraudulent asbestos training certification
- State: Washington
- Year: 2015
- Penalties: 30 days incarceration, $1,000 State fine
- Co-Defendants: Timothy Pinckney, Pamela Pepper, Deanna Peters
- Statutes Violated: Washington State environmental regulations related to asbestos worker training and certification
- Related Company: Environmental Management Training, LLC (EMT) & Rhine Demolition, L.L.C.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this story as it develops.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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