Lab Owner’s Involvement Questioned In Syracuse Asbestos Conspiracy Case

A resident of Sherrill, New York, has been named among six other people in a federal indictment against a group of Syracuse workers charged with falsifying asbestos lab results throughout New York state. Barbara DuChene was named in the indictment as the “owner” of Certified Environmental Services, Inc., the company accused to falsifying the reports. In addition, DuChene was listed in the indictment as the company’s vice president of laboratory operations and laboratory manager.

The indictment accuses DuChene, four employees of CES, and a supervisor for Paragon, an asbestos abatement company, of conspiring to fabricate asbestos reports. By doing so, they violated several government regulations, and did so for nearly a decade. The conspiracy allegedly ran from 1999 to 2007. By falsifying these reports, owners of homes, schools, and businesses were misled by the company. Most troubling of all, thousands of people may have been unknowingly exposing themselves to toxic asbestos. Asbestos exposure is linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma, among other diseases.

DuChene’s attorney spoke with members of the press earlier this week, and seemed confused as to why his client had been indicted. “I don’t know why she’s named in this indictment, and I believe she feels she’s being unfairly accused,” said Syracuse-based attorney George Hildebrandt. “This is a woman who has worked hard her whole life, who has a family, and who has lived an exceptionally law-abiding life, so the threat of just a felony conviction, aside from any punishment, I think that’s certainly very serious for her.” Hildebrandt argues that DuChene should not have been named as owner of CES, as she is not the majority share-holder and allegedly does not control day-to-day operations for CES.

DuChene has not yet been arraigned on charges at the U.S. District Court in Syracuse. According to her attorney, DuChene did not stand to gain anything from the conspiracy. “I would think that the allegation against her is not particularly substantial, and I’m looking to see if there’s anything further beyond what I know that would justify that charge,” Hildebrandt said.

Source: http://www.uticaod.com/archive/x726824507/Sherrill-woman-questions-charges-in-asbestos-conspiracy

One Response to “Lab Owner’s Involvement Questioned In Syracuse Asbestos Conspiracy Case”

1. Brent Davies says:

   June 15, 2009 at 11:57 am

   I have been interested in this case because about 2 years ago Red Reef laboratories International form a joint venture with certified environmental services. RRI is located in Deerfield Beach Florida and I’m wondering what views they have on this considering they bought CES of syracuse NY for 2.8 million which was to be completed by 2008. The owners of CES benefited from this merger and I think this is why the higher ups won’t admit to wrong doings because there would be a great chance CES would be closed.The only way this could be stopped is if you hit them in their wallets.