Suburban Contractor Sentenced for Environmental Disaster

Contractor Sentenced for Fraud and Environmental Violations

A suburban contractor has been sentenced to over six and a half years in federal prison for causing a potential environmental disaster. Carl Fioravanti of Highland, Indiana, was found guilty of leaving asbestos material at a demolition site to profit financially. He pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax fraud charges after collecting more than $1.8 million without fully remediating the Waukegan site of Lake Behavioral Hospital.

Deceit and Unsafe Practices

Surveillance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration exposed workers without protective gear during the demolition next to a working hospital building. Fioravanti’s company failed to remove the asbestos. The issues forced the general contractor to spend over $26 million for cleanup and legal costs.

Additional Fraud and Sentence

Fioravanti admitted to falsifying records for asbestos removal at other sites, including the old Harvey Hotel in south suburbs, and evading taxes. U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama condemned the fraud for endangering workers and the community’s health due to airborne asbestos.

Response and Legal Proceedings

Fioravanti apologized in court for wrongdoings and poor decisions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Chapman highlighted the predictability of the crisis, given Fioravanti’s familiarity with asbestos dangers. Although his lawyers requested leniency, noting his clean criminal record, the severity of the crimes influenced the sentence.

Additional Lies and Disposal Misconduct

Fioravanti also admitted to dishonest practices in asbestos removal at Chicago Park Hotel and improper disposal in a landfill. Federal investigators found altered manifests concealing misconduct. Despite scrutiny, associated contractor James Bracken has not been charged.