Colorado Man Sentenced for Causing Airborne Asbestos
Pueblo, Colorado - A Pueblo, Colorado man who was trying to “save money” on a demolition project was sentenced this week to a four-year community corrections term and was ordered to pay a fine of $300,000 for allowing the release of airborne asbestos and other related violations.
According to a story reported on KRDO-TV, Thomas K. Tienda admitted to hiring homeless men to perform demolition work on a building that he knew contained hazardous asbestos. He also failed to secure the proper permits for demolition from the City of Pueblo. All of Tienda’s shortcuts resulted in improper asbestos removal and the release of airborne asbestos, potentially causing harm to the workers and others who live or work in the area of the demolition.
Several agencies had a vested interest in the prosecution of Tienda, who was also suspected of reusing some of the asbestos-laden building materials from the demolished structure for another project. Though the Office of the Attorney General investigated the case after an initial complaint, the Colorado Environmental Crime Task Force, the Air Quality Unit of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigations Division were also involved.
Lori Hanson of the Colorado EPA’s criminal enforcement program was pleased with the sentence. "The defendant not only employed unsafe asbestos removal practices but tried to cover up his illegal actions. Today's sentence should send a clear message that the EPA will continue working closely with our state enforcement partners to prosecute those who violate the law and place their private gains over the public's well being."
