Newsroom
All News Releases By Date
THREE PERSONS GUILTY IN KANSAS ASBESTOS CASE
Release Date: 04/20/2000
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2000
THREE PERSONS GUILTY IN KANSAS ASBESTOS CASE
Edward A. Shaw of Largo, Fla.. was convicted by a jury on April 12 for making false statements to EPA and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment concerning an asbestos removal project. Shaw owns ESCM Inc., an environmental consulting firm. Carl and Jean Stiffler of Enid, Okla., owners of Southwest Wrecking Co., also in Enid, pleaded guilty on March 27 to violating the Clean Air Act by illegally removing and disposing of asbestos. From late 1993 until 1997, Shaw and the Stifflers were engaged in the removal of asbestos-containing material during the demolition of the Shallow Water Refinery near Scott City, Kan. The removal involved a number of illegal activities, including failure to properly wet and dispose of the asbestos-containing materials, and failure to provide workers with protective clothing. Improper removal of asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become airborne; inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, a lung disease known as “asbestosis,” and mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest and abdominal cavities. When sentenced, Shaw and the Stifflers each face up to five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division with the assistance of EPA Region 7 and EPA’s National Enforcement Investigation Center and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas in Wichita.
R-56 # # #
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.
