Judge Sues to Close Moldy Courthouse

A Superior Court judge is suing to close the Tulare County Courthouse in Visalia unless officials rid the structure of mold and fungi, which she says made her sick. Judge Elisabeth Krant alleged that a black, slimy mold contaminated the ceiling tiles in her chambers. The mold allegedly led to the judge’s hair loss, dizziness, bouts of vertigo, abdominal pain, respiratory problems, ringing in her ears, facial swelling and severe rashes. Krant charged that county officials downplayed the extent of the contamination and concealed other information after tests were done in the courtroom. County officials have declined to comment on the lawsuit. In her 35-page lawsuit, filed Monday, the judge seeks unspecified damages in addition to a court order shutting down the courthouse unless the contaminants are removed.