Philadelphia's schools accused of failing to properly inspect asbestos in buildings

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Philadelphia's schools accused of failing to properly inspect asbestos in buildings

2025-06-27 10:30 Last Updated At：10:40

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged Philadelphia's public schools with failing to properly inspect eight schools for damaged asbestos. The district agreed to have the criminal case deferred while a court keeps tabs on its response.

Prosecutors said it was the first time a school district in the U.S. has faced such environmental criminal allegations.

The district is charged with eight counts of violating the federal Toxic Substances Control Act for allegedly failing to perform inspections in a timely manner during a recent five-year period.

Authorities said a judge must approve the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement, which avoids a grand jury indictment. If the school district complies with the relevant federal law, the government can eventually drop the charges.

About 300 of the school district's aging set of 339 buildings contain asbestos, the U.S. attorney's office said in a release.

Asbestos, a construction material in wide use until the 1980s, has been linked to cancer and lung disease.

Investigators said some asbestos was improperly addressed and that schools have had to close as a result of asbestos problems. Prosecutors said the “longstanding and widespread problem” put students and teachers in danger.

The deferred prosecution agreement says the school system has already improved policies, procedures and compliance regarding asbestos inspections and abatement.

Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. told The Philadelphia Inquirer the deferred prosecution agreement is a sign of the district's progress in addressing the problem. He noted the district will train workers on asbestos management as part of the deal.

This story has been corrected to delete a reference to a district paid monitor. The U.S. attorney’s office says that is not a part of the deferred prosecution agreement.

NBA suspends Alvarado and Williams for fight during Pelicans-Suns game

NEW YORK (AP) — New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado has been suspended two games and Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams has been suspended one game for their roles in a fight during the third quarter of Saturday night's game.

The NBA announced the suspensions, that come without pay, on Sunday.

Alvarado will miss the Pelicans' home game against the New York Knicks on Monday and their game at the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Williams will miss Monday night's game at the Washington Wizards.

The 7-foot-1 Williams and 6-foot Alvarado exchanged punches following a foul call on Alvarado. Phoenix won 123-114 for a two-game sweep of a back-to-back set between the teams in New Orleans.

Alvarado was trying to fight through a ball screen set by Williams to keep pressure on Suns sharpshooter Collin Gillespie, who had made his first five 3-point attempts of the game.

Alvarado pushed Williams out of the way while playing defense and was called for a foul. Williams then shoved Alvarado in the back. Alvarado turned toward Williams and the two exchanged words before grabbing each other and throwing punches. Both players landed right hands before being separated and then ejected.

Neither player commented after the game.

Phoenix coach Jordan Ott attributed the fight to competitiveness and fatigue.

“I saw it start, and then all of a sudden everyone jumped in,” Ott said. “Obviously, it happens. It just feels like the lack of sleep the second night of a back-to-back, something always tends to happen. Last night, there were a lot of free throws; tonight there wasn’t as much. They let us play tonight, which is something we enjoy. They got tangled up, and obviously they both got thrown out.”

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