New York Contractor guilty of illegal asbestos abatement activities

In December 2004, Alexander Salvagno and Raul Salvagno, owner operators of AAR Contractor, Inc., were sentenced to 25 years and 19 years of imprisonment, respectively. The sentences were the longest in federal environmental crimes history at that time.

The Salvagnos conducted illegal asbestos abatement activities over a 10-year period at more than 1,550 facilities throughout New York State -- including elementary schools, churches, hospitals, military housing, theaters, cafeterias, the New York State Legislature office building, public and commercial buildings of nearly every sort and private residences.

The defendants directed illegal activities of 500 asbestos workers and laboratory officials. As many as 100 former AAR workers are now substantially likely to develop asbestosis, lung cancers or mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer, said authorities.

Additionally, the defendants were ordered to pay restitution of over $23 million and forfeited additional sums of over $5.7 million under the federal racketeering laws.