Allegations have been made that officials in Rainelle, West Virginia, have been illegally burying materials containing deadly asbestos in a field. Investigations are being carried out by state and federal authorities, after a former city employee reported that he had seen the illegal burial being carried out.
The former employee told the Department of Environmental Protection about what he had allegedly seen, and the investigation began in the latter part of last year. The former employee, Sean Thornton, stated that a city manager had told two workers to carry out the illegal burial of the potentially deadly materials.
Although the DEP could not make any indepth comments about the investigation, a spokesperson confirmed: “There is an ongoing investigation into the burying of asbestos by Rainelle town officials.” The material that was buried is said to have come from two condemned buildings.
According to reports two city employees have now been summoned to appear before a federal grand jury, and the allegation continues to be investigated by authorities.