The United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Wednesday announced the indictment of John Wood, 57, 20 Glen Drive,  Plattsburgh, NY; Mark Desnoyers, 52, 210 Dennis Lane, Plattsburgh, NY; and Curtis Collins, 50, 3103 Essex Road, Willsboro, NY, for numerous illegal activities related to the removal of asbestos in commercial and public buildings and private home.

Wood was charged with a conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act, Superfund Act, and mail fraud statute in connection with illegal asbestos removal activities; four substantive Clean Air Act violations; one count related to his failing to report the release of a hazardous substance into the environment, in violation of the Superfund Act; one count of obstruction of justice relating to false and fraudulent documents he provided to EPA Special Agents in an attempt to mislead them during their criminal investigation; and three counts of making false statements to EPA Special Agents.  If convicted, Wood faces a maximum possible term of incarceration of  63 years and a fine of $2,500,000.

In addition to the conspiracy count, Desnoyers was charged with one substantive Clean Air Act violation; and three counts of making false statements to EPA Special Agents.  If convicted, Desnoyers faces a maximum possible term of incarceration of  25 years and a fine of $1, 250,000.

In addition to the conspiracy count, Collins was charged with one substantive Clean Air Act violations; and one count of making false statements to EPA Special Agents.  If convicted, Collins faces a maximum possible term of incarceration of 10 years and a fine of $500,000.

Wood operated an asbestos abatement company, J & W Construction. Collins worked for Wood and later started his own company, Adirondack Asbestos. They performed illegal asbestos removals throughout central and upstate New York.  Desnoyers operated Adirondack Environmental Associates, Inc., an air monitoring company.  He falsified many laboratory samples in order to convince clients that  all asbestos was properly removed from their businesses and homes when gross contamination remained.

The allegations in the Indictment are mere accusations and all persons are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Asbestos has been determined to cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, an invariably fatal disease.  The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.