EPA v. HARVEY GRQ, LEONARD KIRTMAN, WYMAN-GORDAN COMPANY

Case summary

THE SITE IS A 35 ACRE ABANDONED METAL STAMPING PLANT. WYMAN GORDON COMPANY SOLD THE FACILITY TO HARVEY GRQ IN 1990 HARVEY GRQ AND LEONARD KIRTMAN JOINTLY OWNED THE 35 ACRE FACILITY UNTIL 1996. DURING THE TIME HARVEY GRQ AND KIRTMAN OWNED THE SITE, A LACK OF SECURITY ALLOWED VANDALS TO ENTER THE FACILITY AND REMOVE SCRAP METAL FOR ITS RESALE VALUE. IN THE COURSE OF THESE ACTIVITIES, VAST AMOUNTS OF ASBESTOS INSULATION WAS STREWN ON THE FLOORS OF BUILDINGS ON-SITE, ON THE ROOFTOPS OF BUILDINGS, AND ON THE GROUP OUTSIDE. INSPECTIONS BY IEPA AND USEPA IN 1992, 1993, 1994 AND 1995 CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF THOUSANDS OF CUBIC YARDS OF LOOSE FRIABLE ASBESTOS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE BUILDINGS ON- SITE. HARVEY GRQ AND KIRTMAN WERE AWARE OF THE ASBESTOS CONTAMINATION AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY 1993, YET DID NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. U.S. EPA CONDUCTED A REMOVAL ACTION FROM SEPTEMBER 1995 TO FEBRUARY 23, 1996. U.S. EPA IS SEEK- ING COST RECOVERY FROM HARVEY GRQ AND LEONARD KIRTMAN. IN ADDITION, WYMAN-GORDAN BEING NAMED AS A PRP, BECAUSE THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT, BEFORE OWNERSHIP OF THE FACILITY WAS TRANS FERRED TO HARVEY GRQ, ASBESTOS WAS DISPOSED OF AT THE SITE.

Defendants (1)

• HARVEY GRQ, LEONARD KIRTMAN, WYMAN-GORNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• HARVEY GRQ INC CO QUADRELLE REALTY SVCS

  14601 SOUTH WOODS STREET, HARVEY, IL, 60426

  Registry ID: 110010593982

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• HARVEY GRZ, LEONARD KIRentered 2000-04-28

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 1998-12-18Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1999-01-20Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2000-04-26Complaint Filed With Court
• 2000-04-28Final Order Lodged
• 2000-04-28Final Order Entered