Any thoughts on this?

W.R. Grace Indicted Over Mine's Asbestos

Tue Feb 8, 5:51 AM ET U.S. National - AP


By BOB ANEZ, Associated Press Writer

MISSOULA, Mont. - A federal indictment charges that W.R. Grace and Co. and seven of its executives knew a mine was releasing cancer-causing asbestos into the air and tried to hide the danger from workers and townspeople.

AP Photo



A newspaper study linked nearly 200 deaths to asbestos from the vermiculite mine in the small town of Libby, about 130 miles northwest of Missoula near the Canadian border. More than 1,200 became ill over the 30 years that Grace, a global supplier of chemicals and building materials, operated the mine.

The federal grand jury handing down the indictment said top Grace executives and managers kept secret numerous studies spelling out the risk the asbestos posed to its customers, employees and Libby residents.

According to the indictment, Grace � knowing the risks � provided vermiculite for a junior high school running track and as a base for an ice rink, and sold or leased some of its contaminated properties for homes and businesses, baseball fields, even city use.

The indictment, unsealed Monday, also accused Grace and Alan Stringer, former manager of the now-closed mine, of trying to obstruct efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency (news - web sites) to investigate the extent of the asbestos contamination beginning in 1999, when a study by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer linked the nearly 200 deaths and hundreds of illnesses to the mine.

The newspaper's study was based on interviews with doctors in several states.

The EPA, which has never disputed the findings of the study, has since declared the area a Superfund site and has spent more than $55 million on cleanup so far.

"A human and environmental tragedy has occurred in Libby. This prosecution seeks to hold Grace and some of its executives responsible for the misconduct alleged in this indictment," said Bill Mercer, the U.S. attorney for Montana.

Columbia, Md.-based Grace said in a statement it "categorically denies any criminal wrongdoing."

"We are surprised by the government's methods and disappointed by its determination to bring these allegations," the company said. "And though court rules prohibit us from commenting on the merits of the government's charges, we look forward to setting the record straight in a court of law."

Also named in the indictment were Henry Eschenbach, former health official for a Grace subsidiary; Jack Wolter, a former executive for Grace's construction products division; William McCaig, former general manager of the Libby mine; Robert Bettacchi, a senior vice president of Grace; O. Mario Favorito, chief legal counsel for Grace; and Robert Walsh, former Grace vice president.

The company could face a fine of up to $280 million, twice the amount of after-tax profits the government alleges W.R. Grace made from the mine, according to the Justice Department (news - web sites). Grace filed for bankruptcy protection in April 2001 after it was overwhelmed by asbestos-related lawsuits.

Stringer could be sentenced to as many as 70 years in prison, while Wolter and Bettacchi each face up to 55 years. The other defendants could get five years.

"This wasn't something that happened to us. This was something that was done to us," said Les Skramstad, 68, a former miner who was diagnosed with the chronic lung disease asbestosis nine years ago.

Skramstad, who attended Monday's news conference, said he worked in the mine for 2 1/2 years and believes he brought asbestos fibers home with him. His wife and two children also suffer from asbestosis.

"They should have to pay," Skramstad said of the defendants. "They will never have to pay like we did, because it won't cost them their lives."

Grace bought the mining operation, which once supplied more than 80 percent of the world's vermiculite, in 1963 and shut it down in 1990. According to the indictment, the company knew of lung problems among its employees as early as 1976.



Grace executives also had access to reports or studies warning of the dangers of asbestos vermiculite exposure throughout the late 1970s and early '80s, the indictment alleged. Yet Grace officials told the EPA in 1983 they knew of nothing to indicate their products posed a substantial threat to human health, according to the indictment.

This is why I want the economy more regulated. Examples like these are why I am more authoritarian when it comes to economic issues. Business can't be trusted to police themselves. They will choose profit over saftey and fairness. It would be nice if we didn't have this problem, but we do.

Ever hear of the General SLocum disaster? It's another perfect example. Google it and see. History books and newspapers are full of them. Reading them is how my politics were formed. Liberal= lax on social issues, and strict on economic issues.

(Side note: My great-grandmother almost went on that fated voyage, but decided not to go at the last minute!)

It's in the interest of businesses to hide bad information, such as merck and Vioxx, and government sometimes does a good job in rooting out what has been hidden. On the other hand, there may be nothing left for the people affected by the mine becasue the lawyers have made such a travesty out of asbestos suits that those who might have walked past a building with asbestos are getting a fortune in settlements through their unscrupulous lawyers while those with legitimate illness and claims are left out in the cold becasue companies went bankrupt.

TO MY THINKING THIS CASE IS AKIN TO MURDER. IF SOMEONE COMMITS AN ACT OF MURDER, THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF THE LAND. WELL SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THAT IT PREMEDITATED, WITHOUT CONSIDERATION FOR HUMAN LIFE, IS COLD HEARTED MURDER. THEY KNEW PEOPLE WOULD DIE, AND ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN. THEY CERTAINLY SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE HIGHEST PENALTIES OF THE LAW.

This is not murder....there have been cases where company execs have been prosecuted ( or persecuted ) for Criminal negligence. I belive there is also a statute of limitations in some cases.

Anyway..no big business...no jobs. Many jobs are dangerous..sounds like lawyers trying to make killing .

quote:

Originally posted by marilyn:
[qb]TO MY THINKING THIS CASE IS AKIN TO MURDER. IF SOMEONE COMMITS AN ACT OF MURDER, THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF THE LAND. WELL SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THAT IT PREMEDITATED, WITHOUT CONSIDERATION FOR HUMAN LIFE, IS COLD HEARTED MURDER. THEY KNEW PEOPLE WOULD DIE, AND ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN. THEY CERTAINLY SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE HIGHEST PENALTIES OF THE LAW.[/qb]

If that were true, every cigarette company would be shut down.

I can't believe that the government allows cigarettes to be made when it is a proven fact that they cause cancer. It boggles my mind. And what's worse is that second-hand smoke, which we're forced to breathe whether we like it or not, is even worse. These companies are killing us all and we can't do a thing about it.

I do think smoking and bars go hand in hand, though-don't ban smoking there.

Drinking makes you want to smoke. The other day, I had a couple shots of Everclear (for those that don't know, it is 290 proof grain alcohol-flammable too), I was chaperoned to 7-11 for cigarettes, because I suddenly got a strong urge to smoke.

One of Bush's efforts is to protect companies from asbestos claims. Who does this help. Almost all of Bush's actions to repeal or lower standards of existing regulations are to help corporations make more money.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeyD:
[qb]This is not murder....there have been cases where company execs have been prosecuted ( or persecuted ) for Criminal negligence. I belive there is also a statute of limitations in some cases.

Anyway..no big business...no jobs. Many jobs are dangerous..sounds like lawyers trying to make killing .[/qb]

Yes Mikey, many jobs are dangerous. In this case people were not only not told about the danger, they were told there was no danger. Not only that, but people who didn't even work for the company are affected.
The bottom line is that this company broke the law. Aren't you in favor of upholding the law? That is a policeman's job, isn't it? Or is it one law for the rich & another for the poor?

quote:

Originally posted by Mikolaj:
[qb]I do think smoking and bars go hand in hand, though-don't ban smoking there.

Drinking makes you want to smoke. The other day, I had a couple shots of Everclear (for those that don't know, it is 290 proof grain alcohol-flammable too), I was chaperoned to 7-11 for cigarettes, because I suddenly got a strong urge to smoke.[/qb]

Greg, I wouldn't brag about it. It's a ver immature thing to do.

quote:

Originally posted by ILoveMyDog:
[qb]

quote:

Originally posted by marilyn:
[qb]TO MY THINKING THIS CASE IS AKIN TO MURDER. IF SOMEONE COMMITS AN ACT OF MURDER, THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF THE LAND. WELL SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THAT IT PREMEDITATED, WITHOUT CONSIDERATION FOR HUMAN LIFE, IS COLD HEARTED MURDER. THEY KNEW PEOPLE WOULD DIE, AND ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN. THEY CERTAINLY SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE HIGHEST PENALTIES OF THE LAW.[/qb]

If that were true, every cigarette company would be shut down.

I can't believe that the government allows cigarettes to be made when it is a proven fact that they cause cancer. It boggles my mind. And what's worse is that second-hand smoke, which we're forced to breathe whether we like it or not, is even worse. These companies are killing us all and we can't do a thing about it.[/qb]

ILMD, first people who smoke know the consequences and they make their choice. The tests the government used to prove that second hand smoke theory has been laughed at by the world's scientific community. How about the emissions from cars & trucks? Maybe we should ban them too? If you remember from living up north, what color is the snow along the roads & highways? Black. That's what you breathe every day, so maybe that should be considered 2nd hand smoke?

I believe in the law..the law that says they are innocnet until proven guilty. Indictment means little..the old saying goes..a good DA can indict a ham sandwich if they want to, Grand Jurys are notoriously easy. WE shall see what we shall see if this ever gets to trial. Which it won't

quote:

Originally posted by MikeyD:
[qb]I believe in the law..the law that says they are innocnet until proven guilty. Indictment means little..the old saying goes..a good DA can indict a ham sandwich if they want to, Grand Jurys are notoriously easy. WE shall see what we shall see if this ever gets to trial. Which it won't[/qb]

If it doesn't, then we know who controls the government. But then again, Enron came to trial why not this company? Or is it all about power & not about justice?

I'm just guessing it isn't going to trial.Sounds like a weak case to me. And. as I said before..I have no trouble with big business making money.

This stuff is ancient history..hindsight is 20/20. Try proving what these folks knew 30 years ago..good luck. Time to move on.

Wal-Mart to Settle Child Labor Charges

By SIOBHAN McDONOUGH, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, will pay $135,540 to settle federal charges that it broke child labor laws, the Labor Department said Saturday.

The 24 violations, which occurred at stores in Arkansas, Connecticut and New Hampshire, had to do with teenage workers who used hazardous equipment such as a chain saw, paper balers and fork lifts.

Wal-Mart denied the allegations but agreed to pay the penalty. A spokeswoman for the Bentonville, Ark., company said Wal-Mart was preparing a statement Saturday.

Child labor laws prohibit anyone under 18 from operating hazardous equipment.

The company also agreed to comply with any provisions it violated � in this case, child labor laws � in the future, said Victoria Lipnic, assistant secretary for the department's Employment Standards Administration.

In the settlement, Wal-Mart also agreed to continue providing store managers with training on child labor law compliance and provide new managers with similar training.

"This is a fairly standard thing to have an agreement like this," Lipnic said.

The settlement was signed by both sides on Jan. 11. An announcement was not made before Saturday because the department was waiting for the settlement to be paid in full within the 30-day period agreed to, Lipnic said.

The allegations, which occurred between 1998 and 2002, involved one case in New Hampshire where a youth was using a chain saw to trim Christmas trees. A majority of the cases in Connecticut involved children loading paper balers.

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., was critical of the provision that gives Wal-Mart 15 days notice before the Labor Department investigates wage and hour accusations. He said it could give Wal-Mart the chance to sweep violations under the rug.

"I don't know if the Department of Labor threw in the towel or whether Wal-Mart put enough political pressure on them that they ended up with a sweetheart deal," Miller said, adding that he will ask the department's inspector general this week to review the agreement.

"I don't know if there's anything in Wal-Mart's background with regards to allegations of violations of labor laws that would make any suggestion Wal-Mart has earned the right for this kind of treatment," Miller said.

Wal-Mart has been the target of lawsuits accusing the company of bias against women and not paying employees for all the hours they worked. Wal-Mart has vigorously fought the court actions.

Wal-Mart is the world's largest company as measured by sales. At all its stores, Wal-Mart sales reached $284.8 billion for the year ending Jan. 28.

This is nothing new for WR Grace co. You can go back 25/30 years and they were contaminating an area in upstate NY. They took no responsibility for the cancer sweeping the youth in a small town. Nothing changes......

When it comes to corporate greed, one of the worst compines, to me, is Disney. I hate companies that make obsene profits off of children. They keep raising the prices - at least once a year. The whole park is nothing but a vast shopping center. The cost of food & drink is off the wall.

When my kids were young, like most people, we took them to Disney. While it was never really inexpensive, the costs were not outlandish and not that much out of line when compared to other activites.

We now live in Florida and take our grandchilden to there. They have special rates for Florida residents - two annual passes. They also had a pass where you paid for two days & got 4. Now you pay for two & get one free day.

Last time we went the lines into the parking lot were extremely long. Why? They have one attendant take care of two lanes of traffic. The lines to buy entry tickets were long because only about half were open. Disney has been around long enough to gauge the attendance & should staff accorindly.

As long as people are coming they wont change. Their attendance might be down but they make-up for it by raising prices.

How many large companies don't have a toll free phone number? Disney doesn't.

Executive Pay
(BusinessWeek, 04/19/2004)
Although CEO compensation in 2003 was extremely high, as usual, the rate at which it is rising has slowed considerably. In the 54th edition of the BusinessWeek Executive Pay Scoreboard, chief executive compensation rose 9.1%. Topping the list of the top paid CEOs is Reuben Mark, from Colgate-Palmolive, who earned a salary and bonus of $5.1 Million and long-term compensation of $136 Million, bringing his total pay to $141.1 Million. Rounding out the top five are Steven Jobs of Apple Computer (Total pay: $74.8 Million); George David of United Technologies (Total pay: $70.5 Million); Henry Silverman of Cendant (Total pay: $54.4 Million); and Sanford Weill of Citigroup (Total pay: $54.1 Million).

Is anyone worth $141 million? 5 people making $400 million a year seems excessive to me. If they cut their pay in have the companies concerned could either return the money to their stocholders or cut their prices.
Maybe the reason prices are so high, is so these people can get paid more. Isn't that the arguement used against unions?