Kingston, NY – Madeline Alonge was sentenced to three years’ probation in November 2021 as part of a larger case involving a dangerous and illegal asbestos abatement operation at the TechCity property in Kingston, New York. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a year-long conspiracy to skirt federal and state regulations designed to protect workers and the public from the deadly effects of asbestos exposure. Alonge, along with four other individuals, deliberately endangered lives and contaminated a local site through reckless disregard for safety protocols.
Between 2015 and 2016, Alonge, Kristofer Landell, Stephanie Laskin, and Gunay Yakup conspired to illegally remove asbestos-containing materials from the TechCity property. Investigators found the group stripped the materials *dry*, without proper containment, releasing dangerous airborne fibers into the surrounding environment. Landell and Laskin directly oversaw the illegal work, while Landell, acting as an air and project monitor, actively concealed the violations by falsifying reports submitted to the EPA and the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL). This included fabricating air-monitoring data and a “final air clearance” report, designed to falsely indicate the site was safe.
Despite repeated notices of violation issued by NYSDOL inspectors throughout the project, conditions at TechCity deteriorated. The state agency was ultimately forced to shut down operations in August 2016, ordering all work to cease. However, the conspirators continued working illegally for a short period, prompting a full criminal investigation. Roger Osterhoudt, Vice President of Property Management for TechCity, admitted in his plea agreement that the illegal asbestos removal likely resulted in environmental contamination and placed nearby individuals at increased risk of serious health consequences, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma – a frequently fatal cancer.
The EPA has determined there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, making the defendants’ actions particularly egregious. The agency is currently working to identify and provide restitution to all individuals potentially exposed to asbestos during the TechCity project. The cost of cleanup and remediation has been substantial, and the long-term health impacts on those exposed remain unknown.
Statutes Violated & Penalties
The defendants were charged with violating the Clean Air Act and Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, specifically 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy to Defraud the United States) and 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4) (Knowing Violation of Clean Air Act Regulations). Landell and Laskin received the harshest sentences, with Landell sentenced to eight months of incarceration and Laskin to ten months, in addition to three years of supervised release and the revocation of any asbestos-related licenses. Alonge, Yakup, and Osterhoudt each received three years of probation. All five defendants were ordered to pay approximately $399,000 in restitution to the EPA to cover cleanup costs.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Madeline Alonge, along with Kristofer Landell, Stephanie Laskin, Gunay Yakup, and Roger Osterhoudt
- Location: TechCity Property, Kingston, New York
- Timeframe: 2015-2016
- Crime: Illegal asbestos abatement and conspiracy to defraud the United States
- Violated Laws: 18 U.S.C. 371, 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4)
- Restitution: $399,000 ordered to be paid to the EPA
- Health Risk: Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of asbestos and the importance of adhering to safety regulations. The EPA continues to prioritize the enforcement of environmental laws to protect public health and hold those who endanger it accountable.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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