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Woodbridge Contractor Arrested on Faking Asbestos Removal Credentials at 9 Township Schools

Nine Woodbridge schools were treated for asbestos removal by a township contractor who allegedly didn't have the credentials to do the hazardous work.

 


A Woodbridge contractor has been charged by a state grand jury with dozens of counts of unlicensed asbestos abatement in connection with asbestos work that his unlicensed business performed at numerous homes and schools, including nine schools in Woodbridge Township.

William T. Muzzio Jr., 50, of Woodbridge, was charged with 10 counts of unlawful release of a toxic pollutant, 36 counts of removing or encapsulating asbestos without a license, one count of theft by deception, and two counts of forging documents saying he was licensed to remove the hazardous material, according to the NJ Attorney General's office.

State agencies began investigating Muzzio and his business, Citadel Environmental Consultants, in March after a daycare facility in Union Township hired Muzzio to remove pipe insulation containing asbestos from its basement boiler room and it was discovered that Muzzio wasn't licensed to perform the work. 

The Department of Labor and Division of Criminal Justice conducted inspections in March at the daycare facility and allegedly discovered dust and debris containing asbestos in the boiler room and an adjacent crawl space. 

In Woodbridge, Muzzio had allegedly performed unlicensed asbestos encapsulation at nine public schools between April, 2011 and June, 2011. Rather than remove the asbestos, Muzzio was hired to seal the insulation that contained asbestos to prevent it from being broken up and released into the air. In four of the schools, he allegedly removed asbestos floor tiles.

The Woodbridge schools which Muzzio allegedly treated for asbestos are:

  • Woodbridge High School, Woodbridge
  • Colonia High School, Colonia 
  • John F. Kennedy High School, Iselin
  • Kennedy Park School, Iselin
  • Matthew Jago Elementary School, Sewaren
  • Oak Ridge Heights School, Colonia
  • Woodbridge Middle School, Woodbridge
  • Ross Street School, Woodbridge
  • Fords Middle School, Fords

Muzzio was paid $15,675 by the Woodbridge Board of Education for the work. For that, he was also charged with theft by deception for "creating or reinforcing" the perception he was licensed to perform asbestos removal.

The Division of Criminal Justice expanded the investigation after the Union daycare center discovery and identified 35 sites, including schools, an apartment complex and 21 homes, where Muzzio allegedly performed unlicensed asbestos abatement between April 2011 and May 2012.  He allegedly caused the unlawful release of asbestos at nine homes, where later testing allegedly identified remaining “friable” asbestos, meaning asbestos-containing material that, when dry, may be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder by hand.  Those homes, which are listed in the indictment, are in Middlesex, Union, Essex and Hudson counties.  He is also alleged to have performed unlicensed asbestos abatement in Morris, Hunterdon, Warren, Monmouth and Ocean counties.

All of the charges Muzzio faces are third degree crimes, except for the 10 counts of the unlawful release of a toxic pollutant, which are crimes in the second degree. On those charges alone, Muzzio can face from 5 to 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine each. The other charges carry lesser penalties.

He is being held on $75,000 bail in Union County Jail.

Related Topics: Citadel Environmental Consultants, Police And Fire, Schools, William T. Muzzio, Woodbridge board of education, asbestos removal, and indictments

Tam Findeis

4:58 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012

What does this mean to the students who attended these schools?

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So Much to Say

11:28 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012

This man will probably get away with this, just like the Rocco Garruto and his puppy mill (Fancy Pups) did. If you're in Mac's good graces, then like I said he'll get away with it too.

WHAT THE HECK IS GOIING ON IN WOODBRIDGE

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Patrick Donnelly

12:37 am on Friday, August 3, 2012

How could the school board of Woodbridge allow this to happen, aren't they checking credentials of people they hire that work on schools?

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Patrick Donnelly

12:38 am on Friday, August 3, 2012

Time to get rid of dead wood on the school board

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anita galuppo

8:14 am on Friday, August 3, 2012

whoiever hired this person knew he didnt have them he /she also should be charged with a crime also what does this mean for us the taxe payers?

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Tom Maras

9:07 am on Friday, August 3, 2012

Most major companies, municipalities and school districts establish an " Approved Vendor/Contractor Bidders List". When properly prepared and maintained (updated), the list allows the purchaser, e.g., school district's Business Administrator or Purchasing Agent, to select qualified bidders (vendors, contractors, etc.), who may then compete for the work at hand.
A key element in adding a vendor or contractor to an "Approved Bidders List" is ensuring the information such as , insurance policies, including Workmen's Comp, local, state and, if required, Federal licenses are appropriate and current, and that the credentials and references of the candidate bidder have properly vetted.
In this situation, it would be interesting to know what documentation Mr. Muzzio supplied to the the entities that hired him. Thanks to OPRA (Open Public Records Act) the public can obtain that information.
There is a downside to Approve Bidder Lists however, that being; all too often contracts are simply awarded to an "Approved Bidder" on a non-competitive basis, time and time again. But that is a story for another time.

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slyfox1961

10:04 am on Monday, August 6, 2012

asbestos removal and any of the associated hazards have been sensationalized and exaggerated as a result of the litigation concocted by the lawyers who have filed the numerous class action lawsuits against the manufacturers. I place the same importance on it as I do radon, another concocted industry. Yes, there are dangers if you work in the industry for decades with no protection. A few errant particles in a school hallway will not endnager "the children".

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Asbestos Testing Vancouver

12:29 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012

He allegedly caused the unlawful hand of asbestos at ennead homes, where afterward investigation allegedly identified remaining "friable" asbestos, signification asbestos-containing stuff that, when dry, may be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to pulverisation by sailor. Those homes, which are registered in the indictment, are in Middlesex, State, County and River counties. He is also questionable to hit performed unauthorized asbestos abatement
www.asbestostestingvancouver.ca

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Liza Reynolds

5:18 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012

These would surprise a lot of people to know that small business and even local governments and even like William Muzziu are cutting corners when it comes to removing existing asbestos from structures. That leads to Mesothelioma infections. However there are company contractors now a days like http://asbestosremovalchicagoil.com/ I've heard that they are experts in asbestos removals.

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Dward Farquad

9:03 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

I was one of those people who hired this guy. I asked all the right questions, ie; was he licensed, did he have insurance, etc. He answered yes to all while looking me straight in the eye. The aftermath of his misdeeds was devastating. What I did learn from this is the State is partially at fault. How is an individual who needs to have asbestos removed to know that you must hire state approved contractors to perform the work. How do you get the list of these contractors. Having found out this information, I'm here to tell you it certainly is not readily available without a deep search. Also, why has the State allowed Citadel Environmental, website to till exist?? I expect William Muzzio will be punished for his crimes however, that does not help all the people he hurt monetarily and all he exposed to health hazards. TC

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