Virgin Islands Man Sentenced for Illegal Removal of Asbestos at Demolition Site

In February 2008, the U.S. Justice Department announced that the owner of an asbestos removal company in the U.S. Virgin Islands was sentenced to 33 months in prison for multiple violations of the Clean Air Act. The man’s company performed illegal asbestos removal at a St. Thomas low-income public residential community owned by the Virgin Islands Housing Authority (VIHA).

The man was convicted on 15 counts of illegally removing asbestos-containing materials at the site and making materially false statements to federal agencies concerning air monitoring at the project.

One of the most serious allegations which lead to the conviction concerned the company’s use of a power washer to strip thousands of square feet of asbestos-containing material from ceilings in the structures. This caused asbestos-contaminated materials to be washed out on the ground and into the St. Thomas sewer system.

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.