Elk City, Oklahoma officials convicted of endangering inmates by having them remove asbestos without protection
Elk City Manager Guy R. Hylton Jr. and City Supervisor Chick Arthur Little have been found guilty in federal court of endangering inmates by having them remove asbestos insulation from an historic railroad depot. Hylton was convicted solely on a misdemeanor count of negligent endangerment; he was acquitted of felony charges such as making a false statement to state officials and illegal disposal of asbestos. Little, too, was found guilty of negligent endangerment but also of making a false statement to officials when he claimed in 2003 that the asbestos had been properly disposed of in a permitted landfill; he was acquitted of illegal disposal of asbestos. From January to May 2003, Hylton and Little had inmates remove insulation from the historic railroad depot without wearing proper protective gear despite their knowledge that the insulation contained asbestos. An EPA toxicologist testified that Hylton and Little’s actions put the inmates at risk of serious bodily injury since inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause asbestos-related cancer, such as mesothelioma. When they are sentenced in approximately 90 days, Hylton will face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Little will face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
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