Guido A. Cortes-Rodriguez, Environmental Training Certification Scam, Connecticut 2023

Grimy Times has uncovered a shocking case of environmental training certification fraud in Connecticut, with a former instructor sentenced for his role in falsifying asbestos abatement course certifications.

According to court documents, Guido A. Cortes-Rodriguez, 65, a training instructor at the North Star Center For Human Development in West Haven, Connecticut, was sentenced to two years of probation, with the first six months to be served in home confinement, for falsely certifying the completion of asbestos abatement courses.

Guido A. Cortes-Rodriguez, 65, of West Haven, Connecticut, was also ordered to perform 160 hours of community service while on probation. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford.

As a training manager and primary instructor for North Star, Cortes-Rodriguez was responsible for offering a variety of training courses and certifications to individuals working with lead paint and asbestos. However, an undercover FBI investigation revealed that he had been falsifying certifications for asbestos abatement supervisor initial training courses without the individuals attending any classes or taking examinations.

The scheme came to light in January 2016, when an undercover FBI agent attempted to attend a 32-hour lead abatement worker initial course at the North Star facility in Hartford. The agent, posing as a student, was given a list of items to provide to Cortes-Rodriguez, including his name, mailing address, Social Security number, and a payment of $1,260. Cortes-Rodriguez provided the agent with three certificates, including a 40-Hour Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Initial Certification, a 32-Hour Lead Abatement Worker Initial Certification, and an OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Training Course, all without the agent attending any classes or taking any examinations.

The case highlights the importance of regulation and oversight in the environmental training industry, particularly when it comes to asbestos abatement. Individuals in Connecticut who perform or supervise asbestos abatement activities must be certified by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH), and training courses must be approved by the agency.

Cortes-Rodriguez’s actions not only put the public at risk but also undermined the integrity of the certification process. The sentencing serves as a warning to others in the industry who may be tempted to engage in similar fraudulent activities.

The case is a reminder that environmental training certification fraud can have serious consequences, and regulators must remain vigilant in enforcing the rules and regulations that protect the public.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Guido A. Cortes-Rodriguez; Charges: Falsely certifying the completion of asbestos abatement courses; City and State: West Haven, Connecticut; Date: January 2023; Sentence: Two years of probation, with the first six months to be served in home confinement, and 160 hours of community service; Dollar Amount: $1,260.