Paragon Asbestos Removal Supervisor Pleads Guilty
Frank Onoff was an asbestos removal supervisor with Paragon Environmental Construction in New York. For more than a decade, he participated in a scam along with another company, Certified Environmental Systems, Inc. This week Onoff pleaded guilty to committing mail fraud, violating the Toxic Substances Control and Clean Air Act, and defrauding the United States.
Paragon was hired to remove asbestos containing materials in multiple locations throughout upstate New York. In actuality, removal and disposal was performed improperly and illegally, leaving asbestos behind and sometimes even scattered around sites.
Last May, Onoff was indicted for illegal removal and disposal while six other employees from Certified Systems were indicted for giving fraudulent air quality results. Certified Systems would perform air monitoring tests, and even when asbestos was present, give false test reports claiming the tests came back negative for the toxic substance.
Asbestos is a fibrous, naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in many construction products until the mid-1980’s when the federal government began placing restrictions or banning the use of asbestos. Many buildings still contain the highly carcinogenic material, and laws have been created around safe management, removal and disposal of asbestos. Proper procedures ensure the safety of not only workers but the general public that may be in close proximity to sites that have been damaged or are undergoing remodeling or demolition. Exposure to asbestos can cause terminal illness, such as mesothelioma, decades after exposure.
The highest consequences of Paragon’s improper removal and Certified’s subsequent falsely reported air quality test results could be human life. Anyone at any of the sites during the removal or after, when asbestos was still present, may develop mesothelioma anywhere from ten to forty years from now. Although Onoff faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, others may later have to face an incurable cancer diagnosis.
If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos and is experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma, such as shortness of breath, chest pain or difficulty breathing, please consult with your doctor immediately. Early diagnosis is the key to a better prognosis. For help with covering any medical costs or loss of wages, please contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Asbestos lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma litigation will be able to provide the best and most timely help.
