San Diego Gas and Electric Co. was recently charged with violating safety standards on the property they once owned in Lemon Grove, CA.

According to the claim, SDG&E failed to properly remove asbestos from the property before selling the land.

The Charges

The jury found the company and its employees guilty of four criminal counts.

Three counts were for allegedly failing to remove the asbestos according to safety guidelines, and one count was for making false statements.

Three workers, David Williamson, Kyle Rhuebottom and Jacquelyn McHugh, also face charges for going against government safety regulations.

SDG&E faces fines in the millions, or $500,000 per count, and the workers involved could potentially serve up to five years in prison with additional fines.

Improper Removal

The 16-acre site that was home to SDG&E's Encanto Gas Holder Facility since the 1950's stored natural gas in the pipes.

In 2000, SDG&E sold the land to a developer and agreed to remove the nine miles of piping.

However, U.S. Attorney Melanie Pierson argued that the company used cheap machines to cut chunks of coating containing asbestos off the pipes.

Since asbestos is a carcinogen, its removal requires government regulation and according to the plaintiff, SDG&E failed to adhere to these requirements.

(Source: Sign on San Diego)

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