January 2nd, 2007

Criminal charges that were filed against a project manager have been dropped by state prosecutors relating to the mishandling of asbestos. The charges were dropped at the Salinas Courthouse after Seth Henderson agreed to testify against his employer. The State Attorney General’s Office then asked charges against the project manager to be dropped ‘in the interests of justice’.

The employer, Nova Partners Inc, is accused of mishandling asbestos and ignoring warnings during renovation works on the north wing of the courthouse. According to reports, the company authorized demolition work which then released asbestos into the ventilation system of the building.

The jury selection for the defendant is set to begin early next week, and a number of defendants were indicted. Another project manager also had charges dropped against him after he also agreed to testify for the prosecution in the case.

Both Henderson and the other project manager, Anthony Jones, had been accused of ignoring warnings and initiating works that created a dangerous situation after asbestos was released into the ventilation system. The two will now testify for the prosecution.