The owner of a building in Des Moines, Iowa, pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and violating the Act's provisions relating to asbestos removal. The Act requires building owners to follow certain work practice standards to ensure that any asbestos in their buildings is removed safely. Required safety measures include notifying the appropriate regulatory agency before commencing removal activities, wetting the asbestos during the removal and before disposal, and properly disposing of the asbestos at an EPA-approved disposal site.
In the plea agreement, Bob Knapp admitted to overseeing the renovation project from 2006 through February 2008, which involved converting several floor of the building into luxury residential condominium units and renovating other floors to attract additional commercial tenants. He also admitted that he conspired with another defendant to remove asbestos-containing materials ("ACMs") from the building without complying with the Act's requirements. While Knapp was overseeing the project, ACMs were removed and disposed of in an uncovered dumpster.
Knapp will be sentenced to between 33 and 41 months in prison and may be required to pay a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
