Clearwater staffing company accused of withholding certification for oil clean-up

CLEARWATER — Prosecutors are investigating a Clearwater staffing company that's accused of offering free hazardous emergency response training, but then withholding certification.

The State Attorney's Office said Thursday that individuals have complained that Able Body Labor, a company based on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, advertised free training for hazardous waste operations certification, which is required for workers hired to help clean up oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill.

But when the training was completed, the company never provided the proper certification, trainees complained. In addition, some said the company charged between $150 and $450 for the certification.

Southern Cat, Inc., a company based in Panama City, was accused of the same wrongdoings.

According to the State Attorney's Office, Able Body Labor has fully cooperated with the investigation so far.