An Auburn attorney filed a fourth asbestos-related lawsuit against the Cayuga County Friday, this time on behalf of members of the public who came in contact with the carcinogen from the Board of Elections building last year.

The group of seven seeks damages and attorney fees for exposure to asbestos caused by illegal removal.

Suspended county carpenter John Chick pleaded guilty to violating the federal Clean Air Act in March and now awaits sentencing.

A majority of the plaintiffs contest they were unknowingly exposed to asbestos particles when they did business at the county Board of Elections building between February and August 2006. The suit claims John E. Montgomery was exposed while working at the Auburn city landfill, where the asbestos was illegally disposed.

Over the past week, attorney Carl DePalma has filed separate suits on behalf of six former inmates who assisted in the boiler removal project and 15 county employees who entered the building over the six-month span between the project and the time the illegal removal became public knowledge.

DePalma also represents Anthony Garropy, a county employee who was terminated shortly after reporting the illegal activity to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Garropy is suing for damages and his job back.