Branko Lazic, owner of Bilaz, Inc. pleaded guilty today to one count of criminally violating the Clean Air Act in relation to the removal of Asbestos from the Mattison Elementary School in Ambler, Pa. in June 2002, the Justice Department announced.

The defendant and his company Bilaz, Inc., were hired to remove Asbestos from several areas in the elementary school, which was undergoing renovation. These areas included the boiler room and the ceiling pipe joints, known as "elbows," on the first floor. The defendant admitted that he left the elementary school during the Asbestos removal process despite knowing that it was likely the workers he employed would remove the Asbestos from the ceiling elbows improperly.

After the removal work was completed in preparation for the new school year, janitors and teachers removed a white dust residue from the floors and furniture.

The plea took place today before Hon. Juan R. Sanchez in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Sentencing has been scheduled for Oct. 1, 2007 at 10 A.M. EDT. Lazic faces up to 5 years in jail, 3 years probation, and a $250,000 fine. The plea agreement also requires the defendant to make restitution payments as ordered by the court.

The cases is being prosecuted by Rocky Piaggione, Senior Counsel for the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section, Albert Glenn, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Joseph Lisa, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, both for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This case was investigated by Special Agent Charles Ferrante of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Investigator Robert Kelly of the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.

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