San Diego Gas & Electric Faces $2 Million Asbestos Fine

February 28, 2007 - The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E) and three workers were indicted on February 27th for a second time on charges of violating safety standards while removing asbestos from pipes at a 16-acre Lemon Grove site.

A similar indictment was dismissed last November because of improper wording regarding asbestos testing.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie Pierson says that wording has been corrected in the new indictment.

The indictment, which is essentially the same as the previous one, names SDG&E, along with employees Jacquelyn McHugh, a supervisor in the environmental department, and David Williamson, an environmental specialist. Kyle Rhuebottom, the project superintendent for contractor IT Corp., was also charged in the indictment.

The article notes that SDG&E faces up to a $2.5 million fine if found guilty. The workers face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each charge.  Arraignment is scheduled for early March.

SDG&E maintains that it followed proper testing procedures at the site.  “We will vigorously defend our company, and we stand firmly behind our employees involved in the project,” a statement from the company said.

However, prosecutors allege that SDG&E and its workers tried to save time and money by telling government inspectors that the pipes did not pose a risk.