Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Another week of trial against W.R. Grace ends with more testimony that the company and its executives were aware of the dangers of asbestos from their mine and manufactured products.  Robert Locke, who was once a global vice president of Grace's construction products division, testified on behalf of the government last week.  According to Locke, he had warned Grace about the hazardous conditions at the mine and the lethal health effects of the asbestos-contaminated ore mined in Libby, Montana.

 

The government presented evidence from internal company documents that Locke had taken with him when he left Grace under bad terms in 1988.  Locke's testimony combined with the internal documents show Grace had clear evidence of the health dangers created by their asbestos-laced vermiculite.  Studies were done with animals, in which they all developed and died ofmesothelioma, a fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos.  There were also tests performed that showed how difficult, if not impossible, it was to contain the deadly asbestos fibers. 

 

Despite these tests and other evidence, the company did not issue warnings, stop the mining and manufacture of products, nor supply protection to workers.  Locke himself testified that he was aware not only of the dangers of asbestos from the mine but also the criminal liability it created for the company and how this posed a threat to the success of the company.  He advised Grace officials to take measures to stall government attempts to investigate the mine and to sell to countries that were not regulated for asbestos products. 

 

Locke testified even though he was warned that in doing so he may incriminate himself and possibly face federal charges.  He was offered immunity in exchange for testifying, but declined. 

 

W.R. Grace and five of former executives are being criminally charged with conspiracy to expose workers and Libby residents to asbestos-contaminated ore, hiding the dangers of its products, and obstructing the governments investigating and clean-up efforts.   Many of the residents of Libby who have been affected by asbestos related diseases due to the mine are hoping justice will be rendered as a result of the trial.  Hundreds of people in Libby have died of asbestos-related diseases.