Philip Gewehr, Asbestos Dumping, NH 2003

Rye, NH – A New Hampshire plumbing and heating contractor and his client were both sentenced to jail time and hefty fines in 2003 following an illegal asbestos dumping incident. Philip Gewehr, owner of Sullivan Plumbing and Heating, and Theodore Gladu were convicted of violating state environmental regulations after knowingly discarding hazardous asbestos waste on state land.

The case, which unfolded after an investigation initiated in late 1997, revealed that Gewehr was contracted by Gladu to perform plumbing and heating work on a Rye property. Under pressure to complete the job quickly, Gewehr bypassed proper asbestos abatement procedures. He illegally removed asbestos-wrapped piping, a practice strictly prohibited without specialized training and disposal methods.

According to court records, Gladu was aware that Gewehr was removing material believed to contain asbestos. After stripping the asbestos from the exterior of the pipes, Gewehr packed the dangerous waste into six to eight trash bags. Instead of disposing of the material at a licensed facility, Gewehr callously dumped the bags on property owned by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, exposing the public and environment to a known carcinogen.

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Legal Ramifications

On October 11, 2002, Gewehr was formally charged with one count of violating RSA:141-E:15, New Hampshire’s statute governing the improper handling and disposal of hazardous waste. He subsequently pled guilty and was sentenced to six months of incarceration. In addition to jail time, Gewehr was ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution to the State of New Hampshire and a further $2,000 to the Northeast Environmental Enforcement Project.

Gladu was also held accountable for his knowledge of the illegal activity. Charged on October 31, 2002, with the same violation of RSA:141-E:15, he too pled guilty. He received an identical sentence to Gewehr – six months incarceration, $2,500 in restitution to the state, and $2,000 to the Northeast Environmental Enforcement Project. The dual convictions underscore the legal responsibility both parties bear when dealing with hazardous materials.

Key Facts

Defendant(s): Philip Gewehr, Theodore Gladu
Crime: Illegal Asbestos Dumping
Location: Rye, New Hampshire
Year: 2003 (charges filed in 2002, incident occurred in 1997)
Statute Violated: RSA:141-E:15 (New Hampshire Hazardous Waste Management)
Penalties: Six months incarceration, $2,500 restitution to NH, $2,000 to NEEEP
Details: Gewehr removed asbestos-wrapped piping during a plumbing job and dumped the waste on state land with Gladu’s knowledge.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious health and environmental risks associated with improper asbestos handling. Asbestos exposure is linked to several severe illnesses, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. The penalties levied against Gewehr and Gladu highlight the state’s commitment to prosecuting those who endanger public health and the environment through illegal waste disposal practices.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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