Cleveland business owner pleads guilty in deaths of 2 tank cleaners

NewsThe owner of a Cleveland industrial tank cleaning company pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with the 2020 deaths of two people. By Adam Ferrise, cleveland.comcleveland.com Express DeskAKRON, Ohio — The owner of a Cleveland company that cleans industrial tanks pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges in connection with the deaths of two people in 2020.Russell Stewart pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Akron to two counts of willful OSHA violation causing death and one count of obstruction of an agency proceeding.“On behalf of Mr. Stewart, our deepest condolences go out to the families effected by this tragedy,” Stewart’s attorney Marcus Sidoti said in a statement. “We hope today’s disposition brings some solace to the victims’ families.”The plea agreement calls for a sentencing range between probation and 30 months in prison.Stewart, owner of Great Lakes Tanks and Vessels, was charged in the Feb. 20, 2020 deaths of company employee Ashlie Friedman, 30, of Elyria and Kenan Advantage Group employee Allen Linder, 60, of Milan.Linder died trying to save Friedman after she collapsed inside a tank she was cleaning at Kenan Advantage, a shipping company, on Union Avenue near East 80th Street.Federal prosecutors said Stewart failed to ensure his employees used oxygen testing and emergency equipment when they cleaned tankers. He also gave OSHA inspectors falsified records about the company’s permits, training and safety policies, according to court documents.The deaths sparked an OSHA inspection that recommended the company pay a $1.5 million fine for 11 willful and six serious violations.U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi set sentencing for Nov. 19.The estates of Friedman and Linder both sued Great Lakes and Keenan Advantage. Linder’s estate settled for $1.2 million total and Friedman’s settled for $1.7 million total. Adam Ferrise covers federal courts for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, where he’s worked since 2013. He previously covered Cleveland crime and policing, Akron and Summit County crime and courts and crime in...