Charges Against Owner of Zeeland-Based Business Thrown Out

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WHTC) – Charges of violating Michigan safety rules against the sole owner of Zeeland-based Black River Builders in a 2012 worksite fatality have been thrown out. Kent County Circuit Court Judge Paul Sullivan ruled that state law prohibits such counts to be filed against Joe Novak directly, but that Black River could still be held liable in the death of Brian Tarachanowicz, who fell off of the former Federal-Mogul Corporation building’s roof in Sparta. Novak’s trial was slated to begin today.