Employee at Kilgore College Claims the College Hid Asbestos Exposure

December 19, 2014- Students and staff members at Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas, have been exposed to asbestos in campus buildings over a period of several years, said the college’s facilities director, Dalton Smith, a 12-year employee of the school. Now the public institution is under federal investigation.

Smith said thousands of people have been exposed to improperly handled asbestos in the Randolph C. Watson Library, Rangerette Gym, Stark Hall and the Quads dormitories, and Dodson Auditorium -- home to Rangerette shows and other dance competitions.

Smith made the situation public, he said, after being ordered by his supervisor to cover up the carcinogenic material’s existence. Smith said that he went this month to federal investigators to inform them of what he called the administration’s years-long effort to cover up the situation, apparently to save time and avoid costly and lengthy abatement procedures.

A representative for the FBI said the agency could not confirm or deny any investigation. Kilgore College officials said they are unaware of any such investigation.

Board trustee Carlos “Scooter” Griffin Jr., who confirmed he was questioned last week by federal investigators, said he wants Dodson Auditorium shut down until an expert has declared it safe.

Read the full news-journal.com post here.

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