The owner of a Rhode Island asbestos abatement training center who falsified documents attesting individuals paid for, attended, and successfully completed an Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)-approved abatement training program has been sentenced to two years’ probation, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Prosecutors showed that, in fact, the only person who attended the classes was an undercover EPA agent.
On multiple occasions, between 2021 and 2023, Jose Virgilio Fernandez, owner of Rhode Island Safety Environment Training Center, submitted documents to the Rhode Island Department of Health falsely certifying that participants attended all days of instruction and achieved passing examination scores.
As reflected in information provided to the court, Fernandez falsely stated in signed documents that 20 individuals, whose names he provided, attended and successfully completed a five-day, 40-hour program the week of May 22, 2023. In fact, the only person who attended was an EPA agent acting in an undercover capacity who attended for two hours on the first day of classes.
The Toxic Substances Control Act, implemented by the EPA, requires that workers who perform asbestos abatement attend and pass an EPA-approved asbestos training program which, in Rhode Island, is overseen by the state health department.
Fernandez pleaded guilty on October 1, 2025, to a federal charge of making false statements. In addition to being sentenced to probation, the judge ordered Fernandez to complete ethics training prior to engaging further in providing asbestos abatement training programs or courses.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams with the assistance of EPA Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel Man Chak Ng. This matter was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division with the assistance the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Topics Training Development K-12
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