Fanny S. Chirinos
January 11, 2010

CORPUS CHRISTI — A former employee of Corpus Christi-based Orion Drilling Co. was paid $10,000 in back wages as a result of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor.

The employee was fired after complaining to management about being exposed to mold in the workplace. Officials with the Department of Labor officials and Orion couldn’t be reached for comment.

The department does not release the names of employees involved in whistle-blower complaints. A news release issued Monday did not list when the events took place.

The employee, who served as a crew member on a drilling rig, complained of mold in the crew’s living quarters. After being fired, he filed a complaint with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration alleging a violation of the whistle-blower provisions.

An OSHA investigation found merit to the complaint and referred the case to the department’s Office of the Solicitor for enforcement. Orion chose to settle the case.

In addition to paying back wages, Orion also must post a notice in the workplace informing employees of their rights under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970 and purge all derogatory or negative statements from the former employee’s personnel file.

caller.com

A letter to the NAA regarding an email they deleted without reading – please retract your amicus in the Abad case in Arizona – it is fraud by a political action committee, the National Apartment Association, that is furthering another fraud by another political action committee, the US Chamber of Commerce

Political Action Committee – NAA – files Amicus Brief in mold case (two infant deaths in mold filled apt – Wasatch Prop Mgmt) citing US Chamber/ACOEM ‘litigation defense report’ to disclaim health effects of indoor mold & limit financial risk for industry

“Changes in construction methods have caused US buildings to become perfect petri dishes for mold and bacteria to flourish when water is added. Instead of warning the public and teaching physicians that the buildings were causing illness; in 2003 the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, a think-tank, and a workers comp physician trade organization mass marketed an unscientific nonsequitor to the courts to disclaim the adverse health effects to stave off liability for financial stakeholders of moldy buildings. Although publicly exposed many times over the years, the deceit lingers in US courts to this very day.” Sharon Noonan Kramer

Information on Riverstone Residential knowingly exposing tenants to extreme amounts of mold toxins at Toxic Mold Infested Jefferson Lakes Apartments in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Toxic Mold Infested Jefferson Lakes Apartments managed by Riverstone Residential

Riverstone Residential Litigation

Mold Inspection Reports

Photos of Mold in Apartment

Attorney Malpractice