Boise, ID – Patricia Persons, former secretary-treasurer of Mountain States Insulation (MSI), was sentenced to six months in federal prison and three years of probation earlier this month following a guilty plea to federal charges stemming from fraudulent asbestos abatement practices. The case, prosecuted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of knowingly violating regulations designed to protect public health, particularly within schools.
MSI, an asbestos abatement contractor operating across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah, secured a significant portion of its revenue through contracts with federal agencies and projects funded by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Investigators discovered that Persons deliberately circumvented AHERA regulations by failing to ensure MSI employees were properly accredited to handle asbestos removal in school buildings. This accreditation is critical to ensuring safe handling and preventing the release of dangerous asbestos fibers, which are known carcinogens.
The scheme, uncovered through an EPA criminal investigation, involved MSI performing asbestos abatement work in schools without the legally required certified personnel. Rather than rectify the situation, Persons actively concealed the lack of accreditation from government oversight bodies, submitting false statements to maintain the appearance of compliance. This deliberate misrepresentation not only endangered students and staff but also undermined the integrity of the AHERA program, which aims to protect children from asbestos exposure.
Legal Ramifications
On March 25, 1996, both Persons and MSI entered guilty pleas to three counts of violating the Clean Air Act. Specifically, they were charged under 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4), which addresses the knowing violation of regulations related to asbestos abatement. The sentencing, handed down on July 1, 1996, reflected the severity of the offenses. Patricia Persons received a six-month incarceration term, followed by 36 months of supervised probation and a $6,000 fine. MSI itself was sentenced to 36 months probation and ordered to pay a $19,000 fine.
A Pattern of Disregard
Federal prosecutors emphasized that the case wasn’t merely an oversight but a calculated effort to prioritize profit over safety. The fact that MSI was engaged in projects directly impacting the health of children in schools heightened the gravity of the violations. The EPA’s criminal enforcement program continues to prioritize cases involving environmental crimes that pose a direct threat to public welfare, and this case serves as a stark warning to those who would knowingly flout environmental regulations.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Patricia Persons, Mountain States Insulation (MSI)
- State: Idaho
- Year: 1996
- Statute Violated: Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4)) – specifically AHERA regulations.
- Charges: Knowingly violating asbestos abatement regulations and submitting false statements to the government.
- Penalties: Patricia Persons – 6 months incarceration, 36 months probation, $6,000 fine. MSI – 36 months probation, $19,000 fine.
- Impact: Endangered students and staff in schools through improper asbestos removal.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. Readers are encouraged to report suspected environmental violations to the EPA’s hotline.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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