Dispoz-O will pursue full legal vindication
I would like to address several misconceptions in the July 28 Plastics News article by Steve Toloken on Page 44, ``Executives to appeal price-fixing conviction.''
On July 22, Dispoz-O Plastics Inc. and its president, Peter Iacovelli, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to fix medium-weight polypropylene cutlery prices. The government's theory was that a conspiracy between Polar Plastics, Amcel Corp. and Dispoz-O existed in approximately January and February of 1992 to set the prices of this product.
The government's main witnesses against Dispoz-O were Andrew Liebman and Basem Atallah of Polar. They had been previously convicted of fixing plastic tumbler prices. Liebman and Atallah were given lenient sentences and fines, and both avoided deportation to Canada for their cooperation with the government.
In exchange for testimony incriminating Dispoz-O and Peter Iacovelli, Liebman and Atallah escaped potentially harsh penalties that could have been imposed by the court for the alleged conspiracy in the cutlery industry.
Liebman's claim that a floor price was established at a meeting at LaGuardia Airport in a restaurant open to the public was limited by Liebman (himself) during the trial. When shown 172 Dispoz-O invoices billed to Dispoz-O customers during the period of the alleged conspiracy, Liebman called Dispoz-O's prices ``suicidal'' because they were so low.
The defense will appeal because of errors at trial. Dispoz-O will do everything legally possible to be vindicated.
Karen Iacovelli
Dispoz-O Plastics Inc.
Fountain Inn, S.C.
Firm's safety record unusual in industry
I read with interest reporter Craig Urey's Page 1, June 30 story regarding the safety of workers in the plastics processing industry. I have seen first-hand the many potential dangers faced by these people every day. In light of the statistics cited, I feel there is a story that needs to be told.
Unimark Plastics, a custom injection molder, has several facilities located in the United States and Puerto Rico. Our facility in Greenville, S.C., has reached a safety milestone virtually unheard of in the industry. On July 23, the employees of Greenville achieved four consecutive years without a lost-time accident.
To the uninitiated observer, this record may not seem special, but to those in the industry it is a sure sign of the dedication and commitment to safety by all Unimark employees. The focus on safety begins at employee orientation, and is reinforced through ongoing training.
William D. Pcheny
Unimark Plastics Co.
Greenville, S.C.