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9/10/2025
WT Staff
 Knowledge of an environmental crime? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email info@wtny.us
Sep 10, 2025 208 pm EDT
SDWA CrimeBox
Historic Conviction Fiscal Year 2014; Case ID# CR_2607(New York)
Mishandling of asbestos during building demolition fouls air and water in Jamestown, NY
Allegheny River watershed drains the southwest corner of NYS, including the very popular and highly developed sailing and fishing destination, Chautauqua Lake. Chautauqua Lake is 17 miles long and up to 2 miles wide, flowing into Chadokoin River.
The principal defendant in this case is the owner of a limited liability construction company, both the owner and the company charged and convicted for violation of national environmental laws during a large-scale industrial demolition job in Jamestown.
Jamestown, NY is a city centered on the Chadakoin River in Chautauqua County, NY. Investigators attending the demolition site found the defendants had disturbed and removed the asbestos without wetting it down and containing it according to the disposal permit.
An asbestos survey identified asbestos-contaminated buildings within the site slated for demolition. Work practice standards call for defined mitigation and containment measures prior to disturbance. In February 2012, company employees removed asbestos-containing material without wetting it, wherein fine particulate asbestos was released to the air and around the worksite. A rain event carried the asbestos-contaminated dust and debris from the demolition site into the Chadakoin River.
Federal District Court in Buffalo, NY heard the case. The defendants pled guilty to the Clean Water and Clean Air Act violations. Judge Skretny determined the defendants should have been aware that asbestos-contaminated water was escaping from the worksite to the waterway. As such, the corporation was sentenced to a $100,000 fine, a period of probation and ordered to provide an appropriate employee environmental training program.
Federal Fines: $125,000; Probation: 24 months
See last week's CrimeBox here, "Zero Discharge permit violated, metal manufacturer convicted for toxics discharged to Lake Ontario"
CrimeBox briefs are compiled from EPA Criminal Enforcement records.
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