July 14th, 2005

State and federal agents have arrested a 49-year-old man from Pinellas Park, Florida, after it was revealed that he had obtained work in Florida by posing as an expert in asbestos related matters. He did this by taking on the identity of asbestos experts. Terrance Alonzo has been arrested for both identity theft and fraud.

The work was carried out between 2000 and 2003 in Florida. At this time the defendant left Florida, but returned later on. He had made about $20,000 for his work according to a spokesman from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, but he actually had no license to carry out any such work.

The defendant was arrested several days ago and was being held on $5,000 bail at Pinellas County Jail. The area of asbestos has become a serious one over recent years, and there are very stringent laws and sever punishment linked to this substance. It is likely that the defendant will receive a harsh sentence for fraud that could have endangered others’ lives.

Asbestos was once a widely used substance in construction and various products, and was popular for its cost efficiency and fire retardant properties. However, it is also responsible for a range of ill health effects, including a deadly cancer, mesothelioma.