Contractor Suspected of Illegally Dumping Asbestos

Federal and state authorities have removed 48 boxes of evidence from the home of Louis Sinisgalli in Pittsford, New York. One box contained $827,375 in cash they found in a bedroom closet.

Sinisgalli is a demolition contractor, of Sinisgalli, Inc.

Sinisgalli, Inc. has been under investigation since last summer. The focus of the initial investigation was alleged illegal dumping of debris, including asbestos. Now the authorities are also investigated alleged mail and wire fraud, as well as the company’s failure to file federal income and corporate tax returns during a five year period when the company took in over $8 million. $5 million of that money came from contracts with the city of Rochester, New York.

Sinisgalli Inc. is at the center of a widening probe that began last summer, focused initially on the handling of city demolition contracts and alleged illegal dumping of the debris. But records now reveal authorities also are investigating Sinisgalli for mail and wire fraud, and for failing to file federal income tax and corporate tax returns the five years while his company took in more than $8 million, including $5 million from the city.

The court records also implicate Sinisgalli’s wife, Donna Caceci-Sinisgalli, as well as 2 other longtime employees of the company.

Police believe the workers dumped asbestos and other demolition debris in High Acres Landfill in Perinton, New York without proper permits or the landfill operator’s knowledge.

In doing so, they pocketed money meant to pay for dumping fees. In addition, they may have jeopardized the health of landfill workers and the general public.

Some believe the asbestos dumping may have also happened in some of the most destitute neighborhoods of Rochester.

If asbestos is not properly disposed of, it can become airborne. Asbestos inhalation is linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma.