A 47-year-old Phoenix, New York man has been sentenced for a felony violation of the Clean Air Act, related to the illegal removal and disposal of asbestos.
Richard S. Hartunian, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, announced the sentencing of Edward Palmer, the owner of Carbonsted, LLC, in U.S. District Court in Syracuse. Palmer was sentenced to six months of home detention as part of a two-year term of probation and ordered to pay a criminal fine of $25,000 and to perform 50 hours of community service.
The charges against Palmer stem from his company’s illegal renovation activities at the former Nestles Plant in Fulton, New York, which contains pipes with over two thousand feet of friable asbestos insulation. Palmer directed unlicensed individuals to perform asbestos removal without proper safety precautions, including wetting the asbestos and keeping it wet, and disposing of it at a state-approved landfill.
Asbestos exposure has been linked to various forms of cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma, a nearly always fatal disease. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.
The case was investigated by Special Agents of the Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with assistance from inspectors with the NYS Department of Labor. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Craig A. Benedict.
Palmer’s actions are a stark reminder of the dangers of environmental crimes and the importance of proper safety protocols in industries that handle hazardous materials. The sentencing in this case serves as a warning to individuals and companies who engage in similar activities.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Environmental Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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