Asbestos removal from ESL schools unpaid, suit claims

An asbestos removal corporation has filed suit against the school district that it claims refuses to pay it more than $150,000 for additional work it performed when taking asbestos out of a school building.

General Waste Services claims the East St. Louis Public Schools District hired it to remove asbestos from its schools. Before performing the work, General Waste had provided the school district with a bid outlining how much the project would cost to complete, according to the complaint filed June 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

In the fall of 2011, a dispute arose between General Waste and East St. Louis Public Schools. The school system requested that walls and lockers be removed that were not indicated in the original demolition plans, the suit states. The work was going to cost the school district an additional $157,505 to complete, the complaint says.

The school district authorized a construction charge directive, which entitled General Waste to the additional costs it incurred when removing various extra items, the suit states. However, the school district refuses to pay for the work, the complaint says.

General Waste alleges breach of contract and unjust enrichment against the school district.

In addition to the money it claims it is owed, General Waste is seeking interest, attorney’s fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

John J. Gazzoli Jr. and Theresa A. Phelps of Rosenblum Goldenhersh in St. Louis will be representing it.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-294.