William Muzzio Jr. was arrested for removing asbestos from 36 locations without the proper license. According to law enforcement, he released toxic materials in 10 of those locations. He illegally removed asbestos from:
- 21 homes
- 13 schools
- One apartment complex
- One day care
“By allegedly performing unlicensed and unsafe asbestos removal at a daycare center, this defendant could have put young children and staff at risk,” said Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa. Chiesa said Muzzio knew he was risking other people’s health, but decided to ignore these dangers for financial gain.
The Division of Criminal Justice Environmental Crimes Unit charged Muzzio with 49 counts, including violations of the Asbestos Control and Licensing Act; illegally releasing a toxic pollutant; theft by deception and document forgery. The complaint says he told homeowners that he was licensed in asbestos abatement as required by law, and presented a fake license to school officials.
Before hiring an asbestos removal company or contractor, check with your state’s Department of Labor to verify that party’s credentials. If the court finds Muzzio guilty of his crimes, he could face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and up to 10 years in a state prison.
Asbestos has been linked to often fatal diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. If you know someone who is suffering from a disease related to asbestos exposure, talk to us. We know how devastating these illnesses can be, and we have a successful history of bringing negligent parties to justice. Call our office at 1-888-637-6347, or submit a contact form. There is no charge to discuss your potential case.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – asbestos lawyers