Judge imposes $10,000 fine on Coventry demolition company for lying to the EPA.
A federal judge imposed $10,000 in fines and five years’ probation against a Coventry wrecking company whose employee admitted lying to environmental officials about getting an asbestos inspection before beginning demolition.
Prosecutors in July charged Coventry Building Wrecking Co., Inc., with violating the federal law by falsely claiming to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that inspections had been done at two demolition locations in Coventry. The company – which is owned by Jacqueline and John Baccaire – agreed to plead guilty and face $10,000 to $50,000 fines and up to five years’ probation.
The demolition occurred in 2008 at 1055 Tiogue Ave., the site of Brookside Center, a complex of office and retail spaces and condominiums at the long-vacant Almacs/Kmart plaza. It is owned by Coventry Route 3, a company managed by Richard P. Baccari.
Jacqueline Baccaire, whose husband in Baccari’s cousin, appeared Friday before Judge William E. Smith in U.S. District Court Friday for sentencing.
“The defendants were caught in an action that’s all too frequent … telling fibs” about inspections, Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly said.
Read more here.
