Charleston Contractor Charged by DEP

A contractor in Charleston is being prosecuted for allegedly transforming two of his properties into illegal asbestos dumping sites.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) claims that the man violated two cease and detest orders from them.

DEP Makes Charges Against Contractor

Rodney D. Loftis Sr. is going to trial early next month on charges that he created open dumps on his property without permission from the DEP.

Loftis is the president of Rodney Loftis & Son Contracting Inc. and has reportedly demolished several buildings for clients, including the Charleston and Kanawha County.

Accused of Ignored DEP Orders

According to the criminal complaint that was recently filed, Loftis ignored orders from DEP environmental inspector Cynthia Musser in 2004.

Musser says she told Loftis that he must stop accepting solid waste at one of his properties.

“Inspections on January 16, 2006, February 14, 2006, and March 7, 2006 revealed the continued operation of an unpermitted solid waste disposal area,” says the complaint.

Not the First Time

Reports show that this is not the first time that Loftis has found himself in trouble with the DEP regarding asbestos.

In 2000, the contractor was forced to pay a fine of $25,000 to settle a suit filed against him by the DEP.

The suit claimed that Loftis repeatedly violated asbestos handling guidelines while he was working on various projects.

(Source: The Charleston Gazette)

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