Dickson Admits Lying About Asbestos Cover-Up

CHARLESTON, SC – A project manager has confessed to a brazen attempt to conceal safety violations during renovations of a former federal building, putting Charleston residents at risk. Albert Dickson, 61, of Red Bank, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today in federal court to Making a False Statement Under the Clean Water Act, a violation of 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(4). The confession comes after investigators uncovered evidence of a deliberate cover-up related to asbestos contamination.

According to evidence presented at the change of plea hearing, Dickson was in charge of the overhaul of the L. Mendel River Federal Building in Charleston during the spring and early summer of 2011. In June of that year, inspectors from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) discovered disturbing violations – asbestos-containing materials were being swept directly down open drains. This practice, a clear violation of environmental regulations, threatened to contaminate the local water system and expose workers and the public to dangerous asbestos fibers.

When confronted by inspectors, Dickson lied, claiming a filtration system was already in place to capture the hazardous material. This was a blatant falsehood. Evidence proved the filtration system hadn’t been installed until after June 6, 2011 – after the violations were observed and documented. Dickson knowingly misled investigators to avoid penalties and protect the project’s timeline, prioritizing profit over public safety.

United States Attorney Bill Nettles didn’t mince words, stating, “I am particularly pleased that we held accountable an individual who valued this particular project above the health and safety of the citizens of Charleston. We hope this guilty plea serves as a reminder that, where environmental violations are found, they will be punished.” The case underscores the federal government’s commitment to prosecuting those who endanger communities through reckless disregard for environmental regulations.

Dickson now faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine of $10,000. United States District Judge Patrick Michael Duffy of Charleston will determine the sentence at a later date. The investigation was a joint effort between agents of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr. of the Columbia office is handling the prosecution.

The L. Mendel River Federal Building, while no longer in federal ownership, remains a vital part of the Charleston landscape. This case serves as a stark warning: cutting corners on environmental safety will not be tolerated, and those who prioritize profit over people will face the full force of the law. Contact Winston David Holiday, Jr. at (803) 929-3000 for further information.