Joseph Yoon, Asbestos Violation, California 2011

Los Angeles, CA – A California man has been sentenced for his role in a hazardous renovation project that illegally exposed workers and a residential community to asbestos, a known carcinogen. Joseph Yoon, the project manager for the now-defunct Millennium-Pacific Icon Group, received a 24-month probation sentence and was ordered to pay $5,400 in restitution to the three workers exposed during the illegal abatement.

The case stems from the 2006 renovation of the Forest Glen apartment complex in Winnetka, California, where Millennium-Pacific Icon Group, owned by Charles Yi and with John Bostick as Vice President, was converting apartments into condominiums. Despite knowing asbestos was present in the building’s ceilings, the company knowingly hired untrained and uncertified day laborers to remove the material. These workers, largely Latino laborers, were not informed of the dangerous substance and were not provided with any protective gear.

The illegal asbestos abatement resulted in the widespread release of asbestos-containing material throughout the complex and surrounding areas, exacerbated by strong Santa Ana winds. An inspector from the South Coast Air Quality Management District eventually shut down the operation, but not before significant contamination occurred. The subsequent cleanup effort cost approximately $1.2 million, according to court documents.

Legal Ramifications and Penalties

Yoon initially pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371) in June 2010. The broader case involved violations of the Clean Air Act, specifically 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1) – knowingly violating the Act’s requirements – and 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4) – failing to adhere to established work practice standards for asbestos removal. Charles Yi, the owner of Millennium-Pacific Icon Group, was convicted by a jury on multiple counts related to the illegal asbestos handling and sentenced to 48 months in prison and 24 months probation, along with the same $5,400 restitution order. John Bostick, the company’s vice president, received 36 months of probation, including six months of home confinement, 150 hours of community service, and was also ordered to pay $5,400 in restitution.

Investigation and Prosecution

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Criminal Enforcement, the California South Coast Air Quality Management District, and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and the U.S. Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section. Federal prosecutors emphasized the deliberate nature of the violations and the significant risk posed to both workers and the surrounding community.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Joseph Yoon (Project Manager), Charles Yi (Owner), John Bostick (VP)
• Crime: Illegal Asbestos Abatement, Clean Air Act Violations
• Location: Winnetka, California
• Year: 2006 (renovation), 2011 (sentencing)
• Victims: Unprotected workers, surrounding community
• Cost of Cleanup: Approximately $1.2 million
• Laws Violated: 18 U.S.C. 371, 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1), 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4)
• Penalties: Yoon – 24 months probation, $5,400 restitution. Yi – 48 months incarceration, 24 months probation, $5,400 restitution. Bostick – 36 months probation (6 months home confinement), 150 hours community service, $5,400 restitution.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of asbestos exposure and the importance of adhering to environmental regulations during renovation projects. The EPA continues to prioritize the enforcement of environmental laws to protect public health and safety.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

White Collar Crime

Jeffrey Wojcik, Obstruction of the mails, New York 2015

May 13, 2015

White Collar Crime

Cristian Maldonado Gonzalez, Money Laundering, Nevada 2005

Jan 15, 2005

White Collar Crime

Arab Finagrain, Public Corruption, District of Columbia 1996

Jan 15, 1996

White Collar Crime

Argueta Rodriguez, Wire Fraud, Virginia 2024

Jan 15, 2024