By Laura Schreier
Banker & Tradesman Staff Writer

A majority of graduates from the state’s largest asbestos removal training school didn’t actually complete the school’s mandatory course, a jury ruled this week in the trial of the school’s owner.

Not only that, but Albania DeLeon of Methuen Staffing passed out these certificates to illegal immigrants, who hadn’t wanted to miss out on work to take the four-day training course. From 2001-2006, DeLeon had these immigrant workers sign off on already-completed asbestos removal exams, and paid them “under the table” to perform asbestos removal work across New England.

Officials who investigated DeLeon’s company, including the Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau, released a statement this week saying that DeLeon’s illegal actions saved her more than $1 million in taxes and workers compensation insurance. She was convicted of hiring illegal aliens, making false statements, procuring false payroll tax returns, and mail fraud. Her sentencing is scheduled for February.