Federal Court convicts San Diego Utility Employees on Asbestos Criminal Charges

The Federal Court convicted San Diego Gas & Electric Company and two of its employees on July 13 for violating safety standards during an asbestos removal project at a property in Lemon Grove. This decision was taken against the criminal offence committed by the company and its workers after asbestos is publicly declared to be a fatal carcinogen causing mesothelioma cancer. The utility sold the land to a developer and soon afterwards began removing the nine mile pipe in 2000. During this removal, the company is accused of using cheap machines to scrap off coating from the pipe that contained asbestos.

The charges of criminal offense on the utility stem from improper money saving methods that the company employed to remove asbestos from the pipe at the Encanto Gas Holder Facility in Lemon Grove, CA. Upon enquiries the company was found guilty of removing asbestos improperly and making false statements to misguide others. The two workers of the company were also convicted on the same charges for violating the standards for safety and endangering lives.

The San Diego Gas & Electric Company along with its two workers is facing a fine of up to $2 million while the workers face a minimum prison statement for 5 years and a fine of about $250,000 per conviction.