W.R. Grace Trial Comes To a Close, Executives Acquitted

Verdicts were released in the W.R. Grace & Co. trial in Missoula, Montana on Friday. Three executives were acquitted after being accused of knowingly exposing the residents of Libby, Montana to asbestos from the vermiculite mine it owned and operated.

Residents say that the mine was responsible for 225 deaths and 2,000 asbestos related illnesses. Aside from the miner’s exposure during work, many times the asbestos would be carried home on their work clothing, exposing family members to the deadly carcinogen. The asbestos laced vermiculite was also used in the school running tracks and as mulch in resident’s gardens.

The jury found that the executives did not knowingly ignore warnings by state agencies to clean up the vermiculite mine. “We at Grace are gratified by today’s verdict and thank the men and women of the jury who were open to hearing the facts,” said Grace CEO, Fred Festa. “During the time that Grace owned and operated the mine in Libby, Montana, the company worked hard to keep the operations in compliance with the laws and standards of the day.”

The prosecutors were facing a difficult case. Due to the executives facing criminal charges, the prosecutors would have to prove that the executives were deliberately harming people “beyond a reasonable doubt.” For a civil case it is easier because only proving negligence is required.

If the executives had been found guilty they could have faced prison time and the company could have paid up to $280 million in fines. W.R. Grace was in court last year when it reached a $60 million deal with homeowners and businesses that sued the organization after using insulation that contained asbestos.

Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.grace09may09,0,3449292.story