Former casino daycare employees file mold lawsuit

February 16, 2002

By The Associated Press

MARKSVILLE (AP) -- Former employees of a daycare center at the Indian-owned

Paragon Casino Resort are suing for damages they claimed to have suffered

from exposure to " " toxic mold.''

The plaintiffs include 19 former employees and nine of their spouses or

other relatives who claim they were exposed last year to mold that can cause

skin rashes, vomiting, memory loss and hair loss.

Paragon Casino Resort representative Barbry said the casino, owned by

the Tunica-Biloxi tribe, would not comment on pending litigation.

According to the lawsuit filed last month in state district court, health

problems were caused by the daycare center, called Kids Quest. The

plaintiffs claim the sheetrock in the hotel was put up even though it was

" " moist from exposure to the elements.''

Mold then grew and spread inside the walls, eventually releasing toxic

spores into the hotel and Kids Quest, the suit alleges.

The lawsuit claims the defendants were aware of extensive mold in both the

new hotel and Kids Quest and not only failed to tell employees but denied

them access to reports describing the problem.

Other defendants include New Horizon Kids Quest Inc.; Berg, Inc., Pecot and

Company Architects; Tunica Biloxi Construction Company; G.W. Moreau Metal

Buildings; Jes, Inc.; Larry Stockwell Heating and Air-Conditioning, Inc.;

and Jefferson Sprinkler, Inc.

Plaintiffs attorney Jerrold Knoll also claims that much work has been

done to rid the structure of mold damage, but " " under clandestine conditions

sealed off from the general public.''

Paragon issued a statement Thursday saying the day-care center is open and

accommodating guests and casino employees. The company said it could not

comment further because of a court-imposed gag order.

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