Pa. House GOP staffer fired after reporting mold can pursue whistleblower claims, court rules

A former Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus staff member can move forward with a whistleblower lawsuit claiming that she was fired for reporting mold in a state representative’s district office, a Commonwealth Court panel ruled.

Marcel Ingram’s lawsuit against the Republican Caucus claims that staff in the caucus violated the Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law in July 2022 by terminating her employment in state Rep. Eric Davanzo’s (R-Westmoreland) district office in West Newton.

According to the Commonwealth Court opinion, Ingram had complained starting in May 2022 of strong, foul odors in the office that caused her to have headaches and her eyes to burn. Ingram mentioned the odors to Davanzo, who suggested they were from a neighbor and that Ingram should contact the landlord.

Eventually, a member of the Republican Caucus’ legal counsel instructed Ingram to purchase tests to check for the presence of mold. The tests were positive and Ingram reported that to Davanzo, who angrily rebuffed her, the opinion said.

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