`Former city man convicted in federal asbestos-removal cas`

A former Farrell man was convicted recently by a federal jury of violating the Clean Air Act for removing and disposing of asbestos floor tile from the flood-damaged Red Bank Valley High School.

R. David Farley, a 1966 Farrell High School graduate, is on unpaid leave as the superintendent of the school district. He was working as superintendent on July 19, 1996, when heavy rains hit northwestern Pennsylvania and flooded Red Bank schools. Residents of New Bethlehem watched as trees, roofs, mobile homes and school athletic equipment floated down Red Bank Creek. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency estimated the damage to Red Bank schools at $2 million. The storm also caused damage in northwest Mercer County.

During the cleanup, Farley allowed student volunteers and district employees to remove asbestos tile improperly, argued the prosecution in U.S. District Court, Pittsburgh.

According to an audit performed by the state Auditor General’s Office, about 15,000 square feet of tile was removed during the week of Aug. 12, 1996, and taken to an unapproved waste-disposal site for burning or burial.

Farley, of New Bethlehem, testified during the trial that he didn’t know any asbestos remained after a 1994 removal project. His testimony was supported by other witnesses, but refuted by the district’s maintenance supervisor and asbestos-removal coordinator.

Farley’s sentencing is set for Oct. 14.

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Updated August 13, 1998
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