Ex-employee sues Fellowship Square Foundation

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Ex-employee sues Fellowship Square Foundation

Reston

By Compton

Source: Fairfax County Times Va.

MONDAY, JANUARY 28 2008

http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/news/2008/jan/28/ex-employee-sues-

fellowship-square-foundation/

A lawsuit filed by Oliver against the Fellowship Square

Foundation for reinstatement of employment alleges a deteriorating

heating and cooling system in the two Lake Anne Fellowship

buildings.

Among other things, the lawsuit claims that a resident died of

Legionnaire's disease that could have been caused by the air

conditioning system. The Times was unable to verify the death.

Lake Anne I was constructed in 1970 and Lake Anne II followed in

1976. The buildings hold a combined 240 units in the government-

assisted senior living facilities, created for residents with

limited income over the age of 62.

was hired by the Fellowship Square Foundation as the chief of

maintenance for both buildings on April 1, 2003. He was fired in

August 2007 in what he believes was retaliation for his vocal

concerns about mold and bacteria growing in the building's

infrastructure.

" They told me it was for insubordination, but that's not the truth

of the matter, " said.

Despite filing a lawsuit against his former employer, the '

remain in their apartment in the Fellowship House. Their vents are

all covered with tarps and sealed with tape, to prevent further mold

from being blown into the apartment, said Lissa , Oliver's

wife. The family now owes thousands of dollars to the Fellowship

House Foundation, which began charging rent in August when the

' refused to move out.

On the family computer is a large file that holds dozens of pictures

Oliver took of what he says are the rusting and rotting pipes and

infrastructure of the heating and cooling system.

Lissa said she and her two sons, Deja, 9, and Elijah, 4, became sick

approximately two years after moving in and exhibited symptoms that

grew in intensity.

The cause behind what she said has been itchy eyes, sleeplessness,

weight loss, asthma and chronic respiratory ailments remained a

mystery to the family until Oliver found a rotting drain pan that is

supposed to catch condensation from the air conditioning units.

" He said, 'OK, I found the cause of your illness,' " she said.

Since they sealed their vents, Lissa said their symptoms have

improved.

In correspondence between Oliver and the county's Department

of Planning and Zoning, zoning enforcement inspector Bruce

wrote in a letter dated Nov. 1 that ' complaint remained open

until certain maintenance was performed.

On Sept. 24, Supervisor Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) entered a

board matter titled " Regulating Mold " that asked the Board of

Supervisors to ask staff to research existing statutes to determine

what legal or oversight options exist to " protect our most

vulnerable citizens. "

Hudgins cites a notification about " mold concerns in residential

dwellings, notably a senior facility, " for her interest in the

matter.

A " MoldSmart Analysis " from BTS Laboratories provided by the '

cite findings of six separate types of mold spores in the '

apartment.

Two of the spores are described as known to cause various health

ailments, such as alternaria spores, which " has been indicated as a

potential cause of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. "

The penicillium/aspergillus spores the lab found is listed as

producing mycotoxins, " which may be associated with pulmonary

disease in humans and animals. "

Oliver hopes that his lawsuit will encourage other residents

to come forward and join a possible class-action law suit against

the foundation.

" People there need to have a change in management, " he said. " The

founder of the Fellowship House had an ideal program to give low-

income elderly a place to live, and I stand by that. "

Director of the Fellowship Square Foundation Garrett was not

available for comment.