New York, NY – Michael Bett, a former site supervisor for an asbestos abatement project, received a relatively lenient sentence in 2006 after attempting to bribe a New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) inspector. The case, initially investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and later handed off to the FBI, revealed a pattern of attempted corruption during a hazardous material removal operation.
The violations stemmed from work conducted at a building where Bett was overseeing the removal of approximately 450 square feet of asbestos-containing fireproofing on the first floor. Investigators discovered that workers were performing “dry removals” of the asbestos – a highly dangerous practice that releases harmful fibers into the air, violating established safety protocols and the Clean Air Act. The initial inspection flagged these unsafe practices, prompting Bett’s attempts to circumvent proper enforcement.
According to court documents, on two separate occasions, Bett offered cash to the NYCDEP inspector in exchange for overlooking the violations. The first attempt occurred on an unspecified date, where Bett proffered $400 in cash and requested leniency. The inspector immediately refused the bribe. Undeterred, Bett repeated the offer during a follow-up inspection, this time offering $300. On this occasion, the inspector accepted the money, not as a form of acceptance of the bribe, but to preserve it as evidence and immediately surrendered it to the FBI.
Bett was formally charged on June 14, 2005, with one count of violating the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7413(c)(1), specifically relating to knowingly violating permit conditions and regulations designed to protect public health and the environment. He subsequently pled guilty to the charge on March 9, 2006, admitting to his attempts to influence the inspection process through bribery.
Sentencing & Penalties
On August 2, 2006, Bett was sentenced by a federal judge to time served, five months of home confinement, and a 36-month probation period. In addition to the confinement and supervision, Bett was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee and a $3,000 federal fine. While the sentence appears light considering the seriousness of attempting to compromise a safety inspection involving a known carcinogen, legal experts at the time suggested the judge took into account Bett’s acceptance of responsibility and lack of prior criminal record.
The case highlights the ongoing risk of corruption within environmental enforcement, even in seemingly localized abatement projects. The EPA continues to prioritize criminal enforcement of environmental laws, particularly those concerning hazardous materials like asbestos, to ensure worker safety and public health. The investigation served as a reminder that attempting to bypass regulations through bribery will be met with federal prosecution.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Michael Bett
- Location: New York, NY
- Year: 2006
- Crime: Bribery and Clean Air Act Violation
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. §7413(c)(1)
- Bribe Amount: Attempted bribes totaling $700
- Penalty: Time served, 5 months home confinement, 36 months probation, $3,100 in fines/fees
- Underlying Violation: Improper asbestos abatement practices (dry removal)
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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