Man at Center of NY Asbestos Controversy Pleads Guilty

January 29, 2007 - John Chick, the man at the center of the Cayuga County (NY) Board of Elections asbestos scandal, has pled guilty in a court of law to illegal asbestos activity.

According to an account posted on Empire State News, Chick, age 64, admitted that he supervised a county worker and county inmates in the process of asbestos removal without wetting it first, which is required by law.  Subsequently, an ample amount of asbestos was released into the air at the Board of Elections building. 

Chick also admitted to illegal disposal of the materials and refusal to provide workers with protective gear, despite the fact that he was aware of the presence of asbestos in the structure.  He also admitted to lying to one of the inmates who had inquired as to the presence of asbestos.  Chick assured him that there was none in the building.  Chick further admitted that he sold copper pipes (from which the asbestos was removed) that belonged to the County without authorization and that he kept the proceeds.

A statement in The Auburn Citizen notes that Chick claimed the decision to illegally remove a county boiler and pipes covered with asbestos last February was made by county higher-ups who "apparently wanted to cut costs."

County Manager Wayne Allen issued a statement as to the allegations. "We cannot speculate on Mr. Chick's statements that others were involved. We will know the facts when these investigations are completed. I can assure you, the County has been taking the necessary steps to prevent anything like this from happening again."

Chick's guilty plea to the “conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act” count carries a maximum possible term of incarceration of five years and a fine of $250,000.