Boston Asbestos Violations Triggers $500K Penalty

Emerson College and Suffolk Construction Co. Inc. will pay $500,000 in civil penalties to settle allegations that they failed to thoroughly test a Boston building for asbestos before converting it into a student dormitory.

Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office says the violations occurred after Emerson bought Colonial Building at Boylston Street in 2006 an hired Suffolk Construction to demolish and renovate it.

A consultant hired to determine whether the building contained asbestos could access to all areas for testing and recommended that further testing be done as soon as access could be secured.

Prosecutors allege that Suffolk Construction and Emerson received this report but failed to conduct further testing before demolition and renovations started.

Suffolk Construction and Emerson agreed to each pay $250,000 in civil penalties to settle the case, but deny wrongdoing.