February 23rd, 2005

The Environmental Protection Agency has fined the owner of Mustang Ranch Buildings, Lance Gilman, $23,000 for improper removal of asbestos from his brothel before it was moved to the Wild Horse Adult Resort and Spa, just east of Reno. The Environmental Protection Agency fined Gilman for violating the Clean Air Act. Gilman claims that he did not improperly remove asbestos, but has also stated that he would rather pay the fine than have to go through the courts. He stated: "It's kind of like big brother spanking the hell out of me and they get a $23,000 tithe for it."

A spokeswoman for the Environmental Protection Agency stated that the concerns were over the wetting of the asbestos. An EPA official stated: "When asbestos fibers become airborne they can lodge in the lungs," she said. "Anyone handling it must keep the asbestos wet to prevent it from being airborne, and he didn't do that." However, Gilman insists that his contractors did do this, despite the EPA’s claims.

Another mistake highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency is that Gilman did not inform them ten days before the work commenced, as required according to regulations. Gilman stated that he didn’t know about this regulation, and said: "The fellow moving the building was not aware of the fine print."

Gilman will now pay out the thousands of dollars to settle the fine, even though he states that he is not at fault. He just doesn’t want to be taken to court for the money, and will therefore pay it without resistance.