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ALASKA COMPANY AND GENERAL MANAGER INDICTED FOR WATER AND AIR VIOLATIONS
Release Date: 03/03/2000
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2000
ALASKA COMPANY AND GENERAL MANAGER
INDICTED FOR WATER AND AIR VIOLATIONS
INDICTED FOR WATER AND AIR VIOLATIONS
Rick Rushing, general manager and a principal owner of Technic Services Inc. (TSI), of Anchorage, Ala., was indicted on Feb. 16 on charges of violating of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. The company was also indicted on the same charges. The indictments are a result of TSI's work practices during an asbestos abatement project in 1996 at the Alaska Pulp Mill in Sitka, Ala. It is alleged that at Rushing's direction, TSI employees failed to follow proper procedures for removing asbestos containing materials including not properly wetting the asbestos to prevent the asbestos fiber from becoming airborne. In addition, Rushing allegedly instructed workers to tamper with air monitoring devices to ensure exposure readings for airborne asbestos were low. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, a lung disease known as “asbestosis” and mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the chest and abdominal cavities. If convicted on all charges, Rushing faces up to 13 years in prison and/or a fine up to $300,000. TSI may face a maximum fine of $500,000 on each count. The case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division and was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Anchorage.
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