3 Sent to Prison Over Tennessee Asbestos Removal

Three men and their company have been sentenced for violating federal environmental laws during the demolition of a Chattanooga, Tenn., textile mill that contained large amounts of asbestos.

U.S. District Judge Curtis Collier on Monday sentenced David Wood, James Mathis and Donald Fillers and the Watkins Street Project LLC for convictions of conspiracy and violating clean air laws.

Fillers was given a four-year prison sentence and fined $20,000. Mathis was sentenced to 18 months in prison while Woods got a 20-month prison sentence. The company was ordered to pay a $30,000 fine.

The men and the company were convicted in January over the demolition of the former Standard Coosa Thatcher plant. Prosecutors said the demolition allowed asbestos, which can cause cancer and other fatal diseases, to become airborne.