MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) -- A federal judge has denied a motion to dismiss environmental crime charges against four former executives of W.R. Grace & Co.
U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy on Monday granted a prosecution motion to dismiss charges against one former executive, Robert Walsh.
The government alleged that Columbia, Md.-based Grace and five former executives concealed health risks posed by asbestos-laced vermiculite from a northwestern Montana mine that closed in 1990. Lawyers for some Libby residents say asbestos has sickened about 2,000 people and killed about 225.
Trial for the four remaining defendants was to resume Tuesday.
