Roxanne Bradshaw, Falsifying Records, Washington 2016

Olympia, WA – Roxanne Bradshaw, owner of AAA Faith Services (AFS), was sentenced in May 2016 after pleading guilty to falsifying records to allow employees to perform dangerous asbestos abatement work without proper medical clearance. The scheme, uncovered by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (WA L&I), deliberately circumvented safety regulations and put workers at risk, all in the name of cost savings.

WA L&I investigators discovered that Bradshaw forged physical exam records, falsely indicating that AFS employees were medically fit to handle asbestos – a known carcinogen. Legitimate physical examinations are required prior to engaging in asbestos abatement, ensuring workers don’t have pre-existing conditions that could be exacerbated by exposure. By skipping these crucial checks, Bradshaw not only violated state regulations but knowingly endangered the health and well-being of her employees.

The investigation, which began in September 2015 with initial charges filed against Bradshaw, revealed a pattern of deliberate deception. Instead of paying for the necessary medical evaluations, Bradshaw allegedly fabricated the documentation, submitting it as if the exams had been legitimately conducted. The fraudulent records allowed unqualified or medically unfit individuals to work with hazardous materials, potentially exposing them to long-term health risks.

While the specific state statutes violated were not publicly detailed in court records, the charges stemmed from regulations pertaining to worker safety and hazardous material handling, overseen by WA L&I. The falsification of official documents also constituted a separate offense under Washington state law. GrimyTimes reached out to WA L&I for a full list of the statutes, but a spokesperson declined to comment, citing ongoing internal reviews of asbestos abatement safety protocols.

Bradshaw entered a guilty plea in January 2016, acknowledging her responsibility for the fraudulent activity. On May 3, 2016, she received a sentence of 24 months of probation. In addition to the probationary period, Bradshaw was ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution, the intended recipient of which remains undisclosed. Legal experts consulted by GrimyTimes suggest the restitution likely covered costs associated with re-evaluating the exposed workers or addressing any potential health concerns that arose as a result of the illegal activity.

The case highlights the potential for financial incentives to override worker safety, even in industries dealing with highly dangerous substances. The relatively light sentence has drawn criticism from some labor advocates, who argue that stronger penalties are needed to deter similar offenses and protect vulnerable workers. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous oversight and enforcement of environmental and worker safety regulations.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Roxanne Bradshaw
Company: AAA Faith Services (AFS)
State: Washington
Year: 2016
Crime: Fraudulent falsification of employee medical records related to asbestos abatement work.
Charges Filed: September 21, 2015
Guilty Plea: January 21, 2016
Sentence: 24 months probation and $2,500 restitution
Laws Violated: Washington State environmental and worker safety regulations.