An Italian court convicted 11 former Pirelli managers in 24 asbestos-related deaths, according to Tyres & Accessories. The 24 employees, employed at the tiremaker’s Bicocca, Italy, plant in the 70s and 80s, died from tumors said to have developed due to exposure to asbestos in the facility. The managers’ lawyers intend to appeal the charges, T&A reported.
“We acknowledge with regret today’s sentence in the first instance and will read the judge’s motives as soon as they are deposited,” said the defense lawyers in a statement. “On the basis of the scientific evidence to date available and which emerged during the trial debates, we are certain that our clients acted correctly with regard to the charges made against them over 25 years ago, and will appeal.”
Those sentenced included Ludovico Grandi, president of Pirelli’s global tire operations in the 1980s, and ex-chief executive Gianfranco Bellingeri, T&A reported. Grandi received a sentence of four years and eight months imprisonment, while Bellingeri was sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment. The longest sentence was given to a former board member, Luciano Isola who was given seven years and eight months.
In addition the their sentences, the 11 former managers were ordered to pay plaintiffs a sum of €520,000, with additional damages to be determined at a separate civil trial.
