Cleveland rehab facility avoids criminal charges over mold exposure

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) — A Cleveland rehab facility accused of exposing workers to toxic mold will not face criminal charges but will pay thousands of dollars in fines.

It’s a story 19 Investigates has been following since last December.

The Cuyahoga County Diversion Center, a substance abuse and mental health rehab facility owned by nonprofit Oriana House, was facing 20 misdemeanor charges for not cleaning up mold found throughout the building last year.

Those charges have been dismissed.

Five nurses turned to 19 Investigates in September claiming their workplace was making them sick.

“I had some shortness of breath, I broke out in hives all over my arms, my eyes were burning. I had a headache and dizziness,” Amber Hill, a former nurse at the facility, said.

City issues civil fines instead

In a written statement, the city said Oriana has now cleaned things up.

“However, we are still not letting them off the hook, as we are now issuing them civil tickets instead that will total up to $7,400 in penalties – which they agreed to pay and not appeal,” the city said. “This hefty fine is a significant punishment that should hopefully serve as a substantial deterrent for them committing similar violations in the future.”

Oriana’s management had conducted some limited tests of the facility in July of last year.

Afterwards, they told nurses the mold was at normal levels.

The nurses did not believe the results.

“I started to get really, really lightheaded and really, really dizzy and I’m like, you know what, let me take a moment you all and let me step outside because I feel like I’ve got to vomit. And I didn’t really want to but I did,” Lydia Warner, a nurse who has since left the facility said.

A few weeks later, a city inspector discovered mold throughout the building and ordered Oriana to have it removed.

The city worked with Oriana, giving the facility until the end of last year to clean things up.

But in December, when Oriana failed their final inspection, the city filed 20 misdemeanor criminal charges against them.

Why charges were dropped

19 Investigates attended Oriana’s arraignment last month and questioned the organization’s attorney.

“Can we just get a statement about the case against Oriana?” reporter Mike Mason asked.

“Sorry, we don’t comment on any litigation,” Mark Young, Oriana’s attorney said. “I know the docket will show, but no comment, thank you.”

The city said a criminal conviction may have hurt Oriana’s ability to care for individuals recovering from mental illness and addiction and would hinder their chances of securing grant funding.

The county said the diversion center is set to close later this year.

Some of the nurses interviewed said they are planning to sue Oriana.

A Crisis Center on East 22nd Street is set to open soon.

The county’s ADAMHS Board will provide much of the funding, just like it did with the diversion center.

The new facility will also provide many of the same services the diversion center did.

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