Authorities Look for Asbestos Violator in Georgia
Authorities are searching for a Rossville, Georgia man regarding an asbestos violation. Les Coffey is the property owner of Walker County Georgia’s Peerless Mills, where residents have been reporting Coffey’s illegal removal of asbestos-containing materials for quite some time.
One tenant has alleged that Coffey has begun to retaliate against the tenants living in the apartments after he learned that they had reported him. Tenant David Rowan stated that since the investigation by environmental officials began, Coffey has disconnected his family’s power and has also tried to evict them from their residence.
It was determined that Coffey did disconnect Rowan’s power and was found in contempt by local courts. Coffey will be receiving a five day sentence in jail for his retaliation and will also have to pay the Rowan family’s legal fees.
The Walker County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Georgia Environmental Protection Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are seeking Coffey for questioning regarding the illegal and dangerous removal of asbestos from his property. Coffey has violated the Clean Air Act and has potentially endangered his tenants and other nearby residents, and could therefore be facing additional jail time and substantial fees. Those who know where Les Coffey may be should contact local authorities.
