Senate passes bill to increase penalties for Corporate Manslaughter
July 22, 2010 - As a result of the Big Dig ceiling tunnel collapse which killed Milena Del Valle in July 2006, the Attorney General filed manslaughter charges against Power Fasteners – the company that marketed and distributed the epoxy anchor bolt system that was used in portions of the I-90 Connector Tunnel.
Through the hard work of the Attorney General’s office, a settlement between Power Fasteners and the Commonwealth was reached – where Powers is required to pay $16 million in civil damages.
Had Powers been convicted of manslaughter, the company would have faced a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine.
Senate Bill 1820, co-sponsored by Senator Steven A. Baddour, creates the crime of corporate manslaughter and establishes a penalty of up to $250,000.
If a corporation is indicted for corporate manslaughter, the secretary of transportation is allowed to debar the company.
If a corporation is convicted of corporate manslaughter, the secretary is required to debar the corporation for up to 10 years.
