Baton Rouge, LA Trucks owned by Charlie Hampton of Hamp's Enterprises, LLC and Hamp's Construction, LLC were caught dumping asbestos-laden construction debris. An investigation into the matter ended in Hampton's arrest on charges of submitting documents containing false asbestos inspection certifications.
At the end of April 2009, Hampton, 55, was booked with 11 felony counts of submitting false Asbestos Notification of Demolitions and Renovation forms to the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). These forms must be submitted in advance of the demolition or renovation of commercial or multifamily residential buildings, or any buildings demolished under a commercial contract, to ensure that contaminated asbestos material is handled properly.
Not only is falsifying these forms against state law, it can potentially harm public health and safety.
In an affidavit, DEQ criminal investigator Maureen Kennedy said that Hampton signed and submitted forms certifying that 10 Housing Authority of New Orleans properties he was contracted to demolish in 2007 had been inspected for asbestos, as required by law.
Hampton also reported that asbestos inspector Barton Hutson had walked through and inspected each property. Hutson later signed a notarized statement saying that "he has never performed asbestos inspections" for Hampton or his company.
Under state law, conviction for filing false public records can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The court, however, ordered Hampton to pay $40,000 and clean up the lot.
Hampton pleaded guilty in New Orleans Criminal District Court to illegally disposing of solid waste in a wetland area—Louisiana DEQ agents discovered Hamp's Construction trucks dumping debris in an abandoned lot on Almonaster Boulevard in eastern New Orleans. "The Almonaster Corridor in New Orleans East has been a historic dumping site since before DEQ even existed," said Harold Leggett, DEQ Secretary. "It will take continuing and vigilant efforts by DEQ, local and federal agencies to end illegal dumping and other illegal activities in this area."
Perhaps heftier fines would help.
It has been known for decades that asbestos exposure has been linked to mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that targets the lungs and heart, and the lining of the abdominal cavity. Most patients succumb to mesothelioma in fewer than two years following diagnosis.
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