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Developer Charged For Endangering Employees
(New Haven-AP)_ A developer and two associates have been charged with exposing workers to asbestos while renovating the former New Haven YWCA and dumping bags of the stuff around the city.
Accused of violating the federal Clean Air Act are Melvin Weintraub of Purchase, NY, and his companies, Morelite Development and Construction, Inc., and Liberty Realty Associates, both located in Elmsford, NY.
John Dawson and Arthur Harris, both of New Haven, were also charged.
Federal prosecutors said Weintraub purchased the former YMCA building for redevelopment and hired ECCO Construction, Inc., of Brooklyn, NY, and Mill River Environmental Corp., of South Hadley, Mass., to oversee the project. Dawson's company, Stanco Construction, was the demolition contractor.
Prosecutors say ECCO and Mill River used untrained and unprotected workers to remove asbestos from the building and place it in thin, plastic bags which Harris dumped at various sites around New Haven, including the banks of the Mill River and in a city park.
If convicted, Weintraub faces a maximum 34 years in prison and fines up to $2 million. Dawson faces a maximum 32 years in prison and fines up to $1.75 million, and Harris is subject to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
Morelite and Liberty each face fines up to $4 million if convicted.
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