SAN DIEGO, CA – A former asbestos removal training employee has been sentenced to probation after admitting to a years-long scheme to falsify training certificates, potentially endangering public health and defrauding her employer. Lachele Rene Thrower, 41, pled guilty to one count of violating Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, specifically 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2), which prohibits knowingly making false statements to the federal government.
Between May 2010 and August 2014, Thrower, while employed by an EPA-approved asbestos training provider, fraudulently certified between 100 and 150 individuals as having completed the required four-day, eight-hour training course and passing the associated examination. These trainees never actually attended the classes or completed the necessary assessments. Thrower pocketed the tuition fees, estimated to be between $10,000 and $30,000, instead of remitting them to her employer.
The scheme involved the use of an unauthorized electronic signature, mimicking that of a certified trainer, to generate the false certificates. These fraudulent documents were then submitted to Cal/OSHA, the state agency delegated by the EPA to oversee asbestos abatement training and accreditation. This misinformation led Cal/OSHA to believe individuals were properly trained when, in fact, they lacked the essential knowledge and skills to safely remove asbestos – a known carcinogen.
The Danger of Improper Asbestos Removal
Asbestos abatement is heavily regulated under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Section 206(a) of TSCA mandates that individuals removing asbestos from schools and commercial buildings must be properly trained through an EPA-approved program or a state-accredited equivalent. Improper asbestos removal poses significant health risks, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
Investigation and Cooperation
The fraudulent activity came to light through the diligence of Thrower’s employer, who promptly reported the irregularities to the FBI and Cal/OSHA. This swift action allowed investigators to identify the falsified certificates and prevent potentially unqualified workers from engaging in asbestos removal. The employer’s cooperation was lauded by both the EPA and FBI.
Sentencing and Official Statements
On October 23, 2015, Thrower was sentenced to 36 months of probation. Jay M. Green, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in California, emphasized the seriousness of the offense: “Unsafe disposal of asbestos endangers human health. To ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, government agencies need accurate and truthful information… Those who try to make money by breaking the law will be prosecuted.” Eric S. Birnbaum, FBI Special Agent in Charge, added that the quick reporting by the employer “swiftly identify and prevent improperly credentialed asbestos workers from any asbestos removal employment.”
Key Facts
- Defendant: Lachele Rene Thrower
- Crime: Falsifying asbestos removal training certificates
- Location: California
- Years Active: 2010-2014
- Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2)
- Financial Loss to Employer: $10,000 – $30,000
- Number of False Certificates: 100-150
- Penalty: 36 months probation
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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