Shelter Manager Poisoned by Mold in Plano Fired

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Fired shelter manager: 'I'm innocent'

By JOHANNA M. BREWER, Staff writer February 09, 2002

Plano officials fired animal services manager Peggy Richman at 5 p.m. Friday

after she failed to show up for a required meeting. Richman had been on

leave Tuesday based on the results of a preliminary police investigation

into allegations of misuse of public funds. , environmental

health director and Richman's supervisor, said Wednesday that the city based

the decision to fire the animal shelter employee on a police investigation

of misuse of the city's procurement card and of funds donated to the

shelter.

The amount of money involved, the source of the charges, and the disposition

of the police investigation were not available at press time.

Reached at her home late Friday, Richman said she is innocent of all

charges.

" I can honestly say I've never taken donation money and used it for anything

personal. No, I've never used a city credit card for personal purchases, "

she said.

" I have some very serious health issues resulting from the black mold in the

old shelter that the city is refusing to treat me for. I'm just going to say

at this time that I'm innocent and I feel this is an attack on me because

I've been pushing them to treat me. The serious health issues involve

potential heart and liver damage, neurological and depression problems.

" The city has not stepped up to the plate and taken care of my illness,

which is a direct result of the black mold. Since the beginning of the year,

I've been pushing (the city) to get this treatment. My personal opinion is

there's a connection, " she said.

Bruce Glasscock, former Plano police chief and current city executive

director, was acting for City Manager Tom Muehlenbeck Friday evening.

" That was not the case. That's not the basis of her termination, " Glasscock

said.

Asked if Richman was known to have serious health problems due to black

mold, Glasscock said he would not comment on any medical condition of any

employee.

Richman joined the animal shelter in June 1999 after holding the same

position in Arlington.

She supervised almost 24 people in the newly opened Plano animal shelter.

The former animal shelter, at 4850 14th St., was closed after a second

infestation black mold. The first happened in January 2001.

" The concentration was high enough that it endangered the health of our

employees and our animals, but the animals were not kept in a place where

mold was found, " the city's environmental health specialist, ,

said at the time of the shelter's animal evacuation.

The shelter moved to its new location at 4028 W. Plano Parkway 10 months

later.

Council member Rick Neudorff said, " I just think it's been an unfortunate

incident that I'd like to see get cleared up for the citizens so we can move

on. "

©Plano Star Courier 2002