EPA press release New York Contracting Firm, Nine Associates, Charged With Organized Crime, Fraud and Tax Violations

FEBRUARY 22, 2002 -- AAR Contractor Inc. (AAR), which formerly conducted business in Latham, N.Y., was charged with various federal violations along with nine associates of the firm, Alexander Salvagno of Loundonville, N.Y., Thomas Reed of Rotterdam, N.Y., Raul Salvagno of Ormand Beach, Fla., Gary Alvord of Niskyuna, N.Y., Anthony Mongato of Gloversville, N.Y., Sheon DiMaio of Gloversville, N.Y., Michael Shanahan of Broadalbin, N.Y., Robert O’Brey of Scotia, N.Y. and Gerald Lindquist of Fort Johnson, N.Y.

If convicted on all counts, AAR could receive a maximum fine of up to $2.75 million and each individual defendant could face a maximum sentence of at least 10 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of at least $500,000.

The charges allege that a conspiracy in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act existed at AAR for at least 10 years. As part of this conspiracy, AAR and its owners and supervisors allegedly engaged in money laundering, obstruction of justice, mail fraud, wire fraud and bid rigging. In addition, the indictment alleges that there was a conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and that the law was violated in the illegal removal of asbestos-containing material.

The illegal removal allegedly took place at the Troy Central School District, the East Greenbush Central School District, the Emma Willard School, the Bolton Central School District, the Schenectady Central School District, the Watervliet Arsenal, the old Hellman Theater, the Ford Green Island Plant, Hawkins Hall at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, the General Electric Bldg. 2-Cafeteria, New York’s State Capitol Building, the Green Haven Correctional Facility, St. Mary’s Hospital, the Harriman building of the New York State Department of Labor, the Sunnyview Hospital and other locations. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the Army, the U.S. Postal Service and the New York State Office of Inspector General. Investigative assistance was provided by the New York State Department of Labor, the New York State Department of Health and EPA’s National Enforcement Investigations Center.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Syracuse. An indictment is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.