A contractor from Charleston, West Virginia received two years probation and has been ordered to pay $37,500 in restitution to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection after he was charged with illegally disposing asbestos. The sentence was levied upon Randy Loftis, owner of Randy Loftis & Son Contracting Inc., in a West Virginia court Monday. The sentencing judge indicated that his acts were “serious” but did not warrant incarceration. Under existing environment contamination laws, the judge could have imposed upon Loftis up to four years in state prison.
Loftis was accused of disposing of asbestos illegally in 2004 and again in 2006 on the same property where he was working. He also violated two stop and desist orders after criminal complaints were issued last year. Loftis was required to provide proof in court that he had properly disposed of the asbestos-containing materials, but West Virginia DEP reports claimed that Loftis had repeatedly transported asbestos from several different job sites, including sites in neighboring counties, to illegal dumping locations.
While in court on Monday, Loftis apologized for his actions. His lawyer claimed that Loftis was a “self-made man” who contributed positive things to his community. In addition to the fine that Loftis must surrender to the West Virginia DEP and the two years he must spend on probation, Loftis must also fulfill community service hours and may be ordered to undergo counseling.
The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center encourages stiffer penalties in further asbestos dumping cases to prevent unsafe exposures. These practices endanger not only contractors like Loftis, but also those in the vicinity of a dumping location. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and can easily be released into the air if not disposed of properly. When inhaled, asbestos fibers become lodged within the inner tissue of the lung and other organs. Over time, the inflammation caused by these fibers can lead to the cancer mesothelioma.
The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center has long been regarded as the web’s leading informational resource for information regarding mesothelioma, breakthroughs in thoracic oncology, and mesothelioma treatment.
For further information, please contact The Mesothelioma Asbestos Awareness Center.
