Conviction in Massachusetts Asbestos Trial

In November 2008, the Department of Justice announced the owner of the largest asbestos training school and a temporary employment agency in Massachusetts was convicted at trial on charges of selling training certificates to hundreds of illegal aliens who had not taken the mandatory training course. The workers were also sent out to perform asbestos removal work, for which they were paid “under-the-table in cash.”

The owner of the business, a 39 year old woman from Andover, Massachusetts, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to make false statements, to encourage illegal aliens to reside in the United States and to hire illegal aliens; five counts of making false statements within the jurisdiction of the EPA; sixteen counts of procuring false payroll tax returns, and five counts of mail fraud.

The investigation leading to the woman’s indictment revealed that while the school offered week-long training classes, certificates of course completion were issued to hundreds of workers who had not taken the course. In turn, the workers filed the filed the certificates with the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety, which then authorized them to perform asbestos removal work. In order to circumvent state requirements, the woman had the untrained workers sign pre-completed final examination answer sheets. During the trial, evidence was presented showing that between 65-80 percent of the school’s “graduates” had not taken the course.

Many of the untrained workers were employed by the woman’s temporary employment agency, which specialized in asbestos demolition work. The workers were sent to job sites throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut.

Exposure to asbestos is known to cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.

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.

If you would like a free consultation or more information about your legal options, please complete the form below, and a representative of our law firm will contact you as soon as possible.