Summary of Criminal Prosecutions
FISCAL YEAR: 2012
1. PRINCIPAL DEFENDANT: HP Boston Building, LLC
D. Utah 2:12-CR-00252
D. Utah 2:12-CR-00252
Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has issued work practice standards to regulate the emission of asbestos during demolition or renovation activities that involve at least 160 square feet of asbestos containing material or 260 linear feet of asbestos containing material on pipes. HP Boston Building, LLC, admitted that it violated the work practice standards by failing to thoroughly inspect the part of the facility where the demolition or renovation operation occurred for the presence of asbestos; failing to adequately wet the material and ensure that it remained wet until collected and treated in preparation for lawful disposal; failing to carefully lower the material to the ground; and failing to transport the material to the ground in leak-tight chutes or containers when it was removed more than 50 feet above the ground level; and failing to have at last one foreman or management-level person, certified and trained in emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants on-site during the project. As a part of the plea agreement, the company admitted that it purchased the Boston Building in April 2007 and sought to renovate it. Based on the collective knowledge of its employees, the company knew that the demolition or renovation activity in the Boston Building involved asbestos. The company acknowledged that prior to engaging in the demolition and renovation of the building, it failed to thoroughly inspect the parts of the building where the work was being done for asbestos. The demolition project involved at least 160 square feet of asbestos and at least 260 linear feet of asbestos on pipes.
May 15, 2012
HP Boston waived indictment and pled guilty to one count of violating the CAA {42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1) - knowingly violates}. They were immediately sentenced to 36 months probation, ordered to pay a $500,000 federal fine, and as a special condition of probation, ordered it to conduct asbestos training for its employees and other entities affiliated with Hamilton Partners, Inc., in Utah and Illinois.
May 15, 2012
Press Release Department of Justice
District of Utah
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012
Press Release Department of Justice
District of Utah
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012
HP BOSTON BUILDING, LLC PLEADS GUILTY
TO FELONY VIOLATION OF CLEAN AIR ACT IN CONNECTION
WITH ASBESTOS REMOVED DURING RENOVATION WORK
COMPANY WILL PAY MAXIMUM FINE
STATUTE:
- Clean Air Act (CAA)