Stephen Lawson asks board to allow applicator licensing after long-ago fumigation revocation; employer testifies in support

Stephen Lawson appeared Jan. 15 to seek reinstatement of a revoked operator's license (OPR 8722) so he can pursue an applicator's license. Lawson told the board the revocation stemmed from multiple regulatory violations in the 1990s tied to fumigation work while he qualified a larger company; he said he accepts responsibility, described family and health pressures at the time, and said he has worked for multiple companies since the revocation.

Deputy Attorney General Adam McDonough summarized the historical record: accusations from the mid-1990s, citation history from agricultural commissioners, a 1996 stipulation and settlement that revoked Lawson’s operator license and company registration (PR2003), probation terms from the 1994-95 matters, and associated enforcement costs. Board staff documents in the petition packet show a civil penalty payment of $7,000 and a $2,918.93 cost-recovery entry; the record indicates the $7,000 and the cost recovery were paid (copies of checks were included in the packet) but that an $8,000 restoration bond had not been posted at the earlier time and quarterly probation reports were not filed as required.

Lawson said he does not wish to operate a fumigation company again and instead seeks permission to take the applicator exam and work as an applicator doing local treatments. His prospective employer, Jim Pinneo, testified in support, describing Lawson as "honest" and recounting Lawson's long experience and safety focus; Pinneo said Lawson performs thermal-heat treatments for the company and that he would employ Lawson as an applicator.

Board members questioned Lawson about past failures to post the restoration bond and to file required probation reports; Lawson said he had relied on office staff and acknowledged that responsibility rested with him. He told the board he completed required AA/recovery steps after a wet-reckless driving matter and that he has kept current on applied techniques through field work and employer-provided safety classes. Lawson said he would take any required examinations and comply with conditions the board might impose.

No immediate board vote or reinstatement decision was made at the hearing; the judge recorded that the matter was submitted and the record closed.