Criminal Trial Of WR Grace, Executives On Libby Asbestos Deaths May Now Actually Take Place - PI

[hatrack]

After almost three years of stalling, questionable court rulings and a flood of appeals, it looks like the criminal trial of W.R. Grace and six of its top executives may actually happen.

The Supreme Court this morning rejected two appeals by Grace and its executives stemming from February 2005 indictments alleging, among many other charges, that the world-wide chemical company knowingly endangered the lives of its workers and others in the tiny Montana town of Libby.

It was the largest environmental-based criminal indictment ever brought, prosecutors said at the time on the courthouse steps in Missoula. U.S. Attorney Bill Mercers' every word was being closely measured by a handful of Libby's 2,400 residents standing nearby who were sickened from exposure to asbestos that contaminated the vermiculite that Grace was mining on nearby Zonolite Mountain from 1963 to 1990.

EDIT

According to thousands of pages of Grace documents the Seattle P-I gathered in 1999 while investigating the company's actions, Grace officials knew of the dangers. They, and the federal government, were well aware of the risks to Libby's miners and townsfolk, but also to those who worked at or lived near Grace's network of Zonolite "expansion plants." EPA records show that Grace shipped millions of tons of the asbestos-contaminated ore to about 200 facilities throughout North America which produced attic and wall insulation, fireproofing, gardening and other products.

EDIT

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/secretingredients/archives/141815.asp?from=blog_last3

[montanacowboy]

1. Wow...this is good news IF it really happens

having lived downwind from that abomination for 17 years I have to have a check up every two years to check to see how my lungs have been affected. Many friends and acquaintences have died and these cold bastards need to have their feet held to the fire. It will be a great day when they are finally held accountable.

[JohnWxy]

2. recommended!

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Remember -- Grace has friends in high places. Unscrupulous friends.

Remember this?

To make our economy stronger and more competitive, America must reward, not punish, the efforts and dreams of entrepreneurs. Small business is the path of advancement, especially for women and minorities, so we must free small businesses from needless regulation and protect honest job-creators from junk lawsuits. (Applause.) Justice is distorted, and our economy is held back by irresponsible class-actions and frivolous asbestos claims -- and I urge Congress to pass legal reforms this year. (Applause.)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050202-11.html