Last W.R. Grace employee pleads innocent to conspiracy

MISSOULA – The seventh and final indicted employee of W.R. Grace & Co. pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a federal charge that he conspired to hide the health risks of the company’s asbestos-laced vermiculite mine near Libby.

William J. McCaig, the mine’s general operations manager for nine years until 1988, was indicted on one count of conspiracy.

Last month, six other executives pleaded not guilty to charges from a 10-count indictment that accuses them of intentionally concealing numerous studies spelling out the risk cancer-causing tremolite asbestos posed to customers, employees and Libby residents. Charges include conspiracy, violating the Clean Air Act, wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

McCaig’s arraignment was delayed because of a scheduling conflict with his attorney.