PORTLAND, Ore. – A construction company based in Hood River, Oregon, and a property management company operating in The Dalles, Oregon, along with their respective owners, have pleaded guilty to violating asbestos work standards and negligent endangerment under the Clean Air Act. The guilty pleas were entered on Friday, shedding light on a serious environmental violation that put both workers and residents at risk.
The property management firm, Horseshoe Grove, LLC, which operates in The Dalles, admitted to breaching asbestos work practice standards. Its owner, Ryan Richter, 44, from The Dalles, pleaded guilty to negligent endangerment for discharging hazardous pollutants into the environment.
In addition, Chamness Dirt Works Inc., a construction and demolition business based in Hood River, Oregon, also pleaded guilty to violations of asbestos work practice standards. The company’s president and owner, Ronald Chamness, 58, from Hood River, pleaded guilty to negligent endangerment for discharging a hazardous pollutant.
According to court documents, the violations stem from events in 2022 and 2023 involving a property purchased by Horseshoe Grove. In November 2022, Horseshoe Grove acquired a property that was being used as a mobile home rental site with approximately 30 tenant spaces. The property also contained two deteriorating buildings located close to these occupied spaces. When the property was sold, Richter was provided an asbestos survey from 2021, revealing over 5,000 square feet of asbestos in the decaying structures.
Furthermore, Richter was given a demolition estimate by Chamness Dirt Works for sampling, testing, and removal of asbestos, but the estimate did not include the cost of proper asbestos abatement. In February 2023, Horseshoe Grove hired Chamness Dirt Works to demolish the asbestos-laden buildings. Even though Chamness received a quote on February 20, 2023, from an asbestos abatement contractor detailing the necessary steps for the safe removal of hazardous materials, both Richter and Chamness proceeded to demolish the buildings without engaging a certified asbestos removal company. This failure to follow federal regulations resulted in the improper handling of dangerous asbestos material, violating the Clean Air Act.
"Despite knowing the structures contained asbestos, Chamness and Richter, through and with their companies, knowingly violated the Clean Air Act by demolishing the structures without hiring a certified asbestos abatement contractor or implementing the precautionary measures mandated by federal regulations for handling such materials," the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.
On November 19, 2024, Richter, Chamness, Horseshoe Grove, and Chamness Dirt Works were formally charged with negligent endangerment and violations of asbestos work practice standards under the Clean Air Act.
Each individual faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. The companies, Horseshoe Grove and Chamness Dirt Works, face up to five years of probation and a $500,000 fine. As part of the plea agreement, both Richter and Chamness have agreed to conduct proper asbestos remediation on the property. Sentencing for the case will take place on April 3, 2025, before U.S. District Court Judge Marco A. Hernández.
The case was thoroughly investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the prosecution is being led by Bryan Chinwuba, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
This case underscores the importance of adhering to environmental safety standards to protect both public health and the environment. Asbestos exposure is a known health hazard that can lead to serious illnesses, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. The failure to follow safety protocols during demolition projects not only violates federal law but also endangers communities and workers alike.
Environmental authorities continue to stress the necessity of certified contractors for any demolition or renovation work involving asbestos, emphasizing the significance of compliance with federal regulations to prevent such violations in the future.
Originally reported by U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Oregon