United
States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release
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United
States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut |
| April 2, 2004 |
JURY CONVICTS PLAINFIELD TOWN OFFICIAL OF VIOLATING FEDERAL ASBESTOS DISPOSAL LAWS Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced today that a federal jury sitting in New Haven found MICHAEL SAAD, age 43, of 195 Town Farm Road, Plainfield, Connecticut, guilty of knowingly violating the Environmental Protection Agency's asbestos work practice regulations. The jury returned its verdict this afternoon after approximately six hours of deliberation. The trial began on March 22. On August 27, 2003, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against SAAD, the Economic Development Director for the Town of Plainfield, charging that he and another individual, Edward Carroll, were responsible for conducting demolition activities at the InterRoyal Mill in Plainfield, Connecticut. The Indictment alleged that SAAD and Carroll knew there was asbestos and asbestos-containing materials at the site in the Manufacturing Building. The Indictment further alleged that, nonetheless, in or about August 2000, SAAD instructed Carroll to demolish portions of the Manufacturing Building, which Carroll did. "We are pleased with the jury's verdict," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "This Office has placed a greater priority on prosecuting environmental crimes and the federal government is committed to enforcing laws that both prohibit the release of dangerous substances in the air we breathe, and ensure safe working conditions." Michael E. Hubbard, EPA-Criminal Investigative Division Special Agent in Charge added, "This case underscores our commitment to investigate aggressively those who jeopardize human health and the environment." SAAD faces a possible sentence of up to five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey on June 21, 2004. This case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigative Division and the Plainfield Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn J. Chen. | |
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