Montgomery County Man Gets Prison Term For Clean Air Act Violation

PHILADELPHIA - Anthony Biello II, 56, formerly of Ambler, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for violating the Clean Air Act. Biello failed to notify the City of Philadelphia’s Air Management Services division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of the removal of asbestos-containing material from a former church located at 1133 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia.

In addition to the prison term, United States District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond ordered a $100 fine, restitution to the City of Philadelphia of $12,000, a $100 special assessment and two years of supervised release. The court also ordered that the defendant not work in the asbestos removal industry during the period of supervised release.

“Asbestos must be removed and disposed of safely and legally,” said David G. McLeod, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of EPA's criminal enforcement program in the Middle Atlantic States.  “There is no 'safe' level of exposure to asbestos.  It is a serious threat to the general public's health and safety.  Today's sentencing demonstrates that those who try to make money by breaking the law and putting others at potential risk will be vigorously prosecuted.”

The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the City of Philadelphia’s Air Management Services office.  The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Martin Harrell and Patricia C. Miller from the EPA.