A Las Vegas asbestos-removal company, indicted on charges of environmental crimes in connection with the Landmark hotel-casino, accused the government of allowing key evidence to be destroyed by delaying prosecution.
Ab-Haz Environmental Inc. said evidence supporting its defense was lost when the Landmark was imploded in November 1995. In a motion filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court, attorney Kevin Stolworthy asked that the indictment be dismissed.
Ab-Haz Environmental was indicted about a year after the Landmark was destroyed. The 356-foot tower, once owned by billionaire recluse Howard Hughes, was a popular place with Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and other stars.
The criminal allegations involve the failure to remove fire retardant from the building. A second contractor was hired to remove the asbestos and ensure the Landmark met all health and environmental codes before it was imploded, said Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which plans to use the Landmark's land as a parking lot.
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