2001 Indictment: Leeds Industrial Park Charged with Illegal Asbestos Removal

Leeds Industrial Park, Inc., a Missouri corporation which owns a former General Motors auto plant, and Clinton Barr of Kansas City, Mo., former general manager of the Leeds plant, were indicted on August 9 for allegedly violating the Clean Air Act by illegally removing asbestos.

According to the indictment, an inspector with the Kansas City Department of Health ordered Leeds to hire a qualified asbestos abatement company to clean an area of the auto plant. However, the indictment alleges that Barr used Leeds employees who were not trained to remove asbestos.

The indictment charges that the employees improperly collected and disposed piping insulation and asbestos-containing material from the plant in violation of federal asbestos workplace practices. Improper removal and disposal of asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become airborne.

Inhaling airborne asbestos can cause lung cancer, a lung disease known as asbestosis and mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the chest and abdominal cavities.

Weitz & Luxenberg is a leading plaintiffs' law firm that has represented people affected by mesothelioma for over 20 years. Men and women diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure may be entitled to compensation from the companies responsible for their disease.

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If convicted, Barr faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. Leeds faces a maximum fine of up to $500,000.

The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas City, Mo., and the Environmental Crimes Section of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

Courtesy of EPA