Isaac Cole, the 54-year-old owner of Cole and Associates Inc., has pleaded guilty to falsifying documents in a scheme to violate the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. Cole, based in Kent, Washington, was licensed by the state to provide mandatory asbestos training.
In his plea agreement, Cole admitted taking additional fees to issue false certifications to individuals who had not completed the required courses. Sentencing is set for January 13, 2017, before U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour.
“Asbestos is a dangerous substance that necessitates proper handling,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “Cole’s actions endangered workers and the public.”
Cole and Associates was licensed to offer asbestos training courses from 1998 until the present. The plea agreement reveals that between 2013 and 2016, Cole caused his company to certify numerous asbestos workers as having completed safety courses without their actual participation. Workers were compelled to pay extra fees for these fraudulent certifications.
Special Agent-in-Charge Jeanne Proctor of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division emphasized the health risks associated with improper handling of asbestos. “EPA will continue to hold firms accountable that disregard public health for financial gain,” she stated.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson vowed to hold Cole accountable, stating, “My office will not tolerate those who threaten the environment and public health.” Anne Soiza, head of L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, noted the importance of proper training in asbestos handling. “This sham training put lives at risk,” she said.
Under the plea agreement, the government recommends probation for Cole, with a condition that he not participate further in the asbestos training business. The case was investigated by the EPA and Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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