A hotel management group is fined $300,000 for the illegal removal of asbestos at the old Clarion Hotel near Kansas City International Airport.

Hulsing Hotels Missouri pleaded guilty to violation of the Clean Air Act and agreed to the fine. The company paid $100,000 yesterday and must come up with another $100,000 within one year.

Additionally an agreement with the state about the remaining 1$00,000 is being finalized.

Lawyers say a proper clean-up of the asbestos would have cost Hulsing about $35,000.

After city air quality officials received an anonymous call last year, inspectors found hotel workers and guests were passing unprotected through hallways where asbestos was being removed.