Man Pleads Guilty in Iowa Asbestos Removal Case

Federal prosecutors say the supervisor of a renovation project at the Equitable Building in Des Moines, Iowa, has pleaded guilty to two asbestos-removal charges.

The U.S. attorney’s office say Russell Coco pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and failing to remove all regulated asbestos containing materials from the building before the project began.

He faces up to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is May 20.

Coco and his boss, developer Bob Knapp, were accused of illegally removing asbestos from 2005 to 2008. The indictment says asbestos was put in open bins and dumped in a landfill.

Knapp’s trial on conspiracy and multiple violations of the Clean Air Act is set for Feb. 28.