November 4th, 2005

A man from Buffalo has pled guilty to his part in illegal asbestos removal from the former Westinghouse Plant in Buffalo. He is the third man to plead guilty to playing a part in the illegal removal of asbestos from the plant, which was next to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Corey Seamon pled guilty to perjury. The Richfield Springs man worked for USA Remediation Services, and the company admitted violating the Clean Air Act.

The violations took place in 1999, when it is claimed that five miles of asbestos was removed illegally in the space of three days. This occurred as the area was prepared for the expansion of the airport. Two supervisors from the company already pled guilty to charges earlier this year, and both were sentenced to more than two years in prison. Sentencing for the third man will take place in February next year.

Asbestos is a known carcinogenic, and can lead to a deadly cancer known as mesothelioma as well as a number of other adverse health issues when air borne fibers are inhaled or swallowed. The strict regulations relating to the removal of asbestos are designed to protect the environment and public health, and the consequences of such violations are typically harsh.