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ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- A St. George man accused of violating the Clean Air Act during construction of Black Ridge Road has been acquitted by a federal court jury.
Alan Young, who worked for his son's former construction company, Merrick Young Inc., was found innocent Wednesday in U.S District Court in Salt Lake City of two counts of Clean Air Act violations and one count of scheming to conceal the alleged violations.
The indictment alleged that in 2001, Young directed the excavation and crushing of water pipes containing asbestos at the project without complying with work practice standards to control emission of asbestos.
When charges were filed last year, Marc Mortensen, assistant to the St. George city manager, said a city worker had discovered crushed asbestos material buried at the site and notified the Environmental Protection Agency, which cleaned up the site and disposed of the material.
Young said the verdict absolves him and the company of responsibility in the disposal.
Defense attorney Greg Skordas said he believes Young was acquitted because he did not have intent to commit a crime.
He said his client came upon the pipe, but did not know it contained asbestos material.
"He never intended to violate the law," Skordas said.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
