Developer faces charges of illegally dumping asbestos
(New Haven-AP) _ A developer who renovated a downtown building will be tried on charges of illegally removing and dumping asbestos.

Melvin Weintraub has been charged in U.S. District Court with using untrained and unprotected workers to remove asbestos during work on the Liberty Building in 1997.

Weintraub and his companies, Morelite Development and Liberty Realty Associates LLC, ordered workers to dump the asbestos throughout the city, federal prosecutors said.

Weintraub, of Purchase, N.Y., has pleaded innocent. A trial is set for July.

If convicted, Weintraub faces up to 34 years in prison and $2 million in fines.

Four other developers, including Dominic Onofrio of Middletown, have pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Onofrio is scheduled to be sentenced this week. A fifth man has pleaded innocent.

Exposure to asbestos particles can cause serious health problems and death.

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