DAYTON, OH – A Lima, Ohio man has been sentenced to federal prison for knowingly violating clean air regulations during the demolition of the former Piqua Medical Center in 2008. Lamont P. Pryor, 47, owner of Avalon Commonwealth Inc., received a 13-month sentence after pleading guilty to three counts of violating the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) provisions of the Clean Air Act.
According to court documents and statements from investigators, Pryor directed his company to remove scrap metal from the hospital building while knowingly disregarding the presence of asbestos. Instead of properly disposing of the hazardous material, Pryor allowed asbestos-contaminated debris to accumulate around the demolition site, exposed to wind and the elements. This reckless disregard for public and worker safety prompted a halt to demolition activities when inspectors from the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA) discovered the exposed asbestos in December 2008.
Federal prosecutors detailed how Pryor prioritized profit over safety, choosing to sell scrap metal rather than adhere to established protocols for asbestos abatement. The NESHAP regulations mandate that friable asbestos – material that can easily crumble and release dangerous fibers into the air – must be handled and disposed of at a licensed waste facility. Pryor’s failure to comply with these standards put both his untrained employees and the surrounding community at risk of developing serious respiratory illnesses, including cancer.
Investigation & Prosecution
The case was the result of a collaborative investigation led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Ohio EPA, and RAPCA. Randall K. Ashe, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Ohio, emphasized the seriousness of the offense. “Asbestos can cause cancer and other serious respiratory diseases and must be handled legally and safely,” Ashe stated. “Mr. Pryor’s actions threatened not only the environment but the safety of his untrained workers and the general public.”
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine echoed this sentiment, condemning Pryor’s actions as a threat to the community. “Knowingly cutting corners in handling asbestos is a threat to communities that cannot be tolerated,” DeWine said. “We will work with our task force partners to prosecute those who try to make a quick buck by endangering the health of Ohioans.” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Sistla and Brad Beeson, with the U.S. EPA, successfully prosecuted the case before U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Lamont P. Pryor
- Company: Avalon Commonwealth Inc.
- Location: Piqua, Ohio
- Year of Offense: 2008
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1) – Clean Air Act, NESHAP provisions
- Penalty: 13 months imprisonment
- Crime: Improper handling and disposal of asbestos during demolition
- Agencies Involved: U.S. EPA, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Ohio EPA, RAPCA
This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences for violating environmental regulations and endangering public health. The EPA continues to prioritize the enforcement of asbestos regulations, seeking to protect communities from the known dangers of this hazardous material.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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