A Sydney judge has finally reached a verdict two years after hearing a case against the founder of the Clean Up Israel environmental campaign. The accused was said to have been causing land and water pollution by allegedly dumping asbestos-contaminated waste on his property Wollondilly.
Justice Rachel Pepper from the Land and Environment Court admitted that the delay in the hearing against Foxman and his company was “unacceptable and regrettable”.
It has also come to light that the delay affected other prosecutions relating to the incident which subsequently stalled any development or clean up at the site since the reported 2010 dumping.
The Land and Environment Court stated their intentions to deliver most delayed judgments within three months.
”However, competing demands, complex cases and judicial leave can sometimes make this deadline unattainable,” it said.
Following eight days of hearings in February and March 2011, Justice Pepper delayed her verdict on the matter.
Foxman and his company have been accused of unlawfully disposing of up to 35,000 tonnes of soil ridden asbestos on his Wollondilly construction site.
Foxman attempted to defend the actions and stated that the delay had had significant effects on him and his company and it was ”extraordinary and unjust to have to wait so long”.
”I have had no way of clearing my name and that has had a devastating effect,” he said. ”It is a horrible situation … I have not been able to put a shovel in the ground for three years.”
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/asbestos-verdict-in-two-years-20130518-2jtaj.html#ixzz2TyR5q8PQ
