Chris White, who was elected Monday by the Connecticut Humane Society to be its new chairman, continues to defend Richard Johnston, who quit this week under pressure from state and federal investigations as well as from a group of vocal former CHS workers and volunteers.
White, a board member for 15 years, told the Courant Monday that “many of the allegations made about the society were not true, or exaggerated, and denied any financial malfeasance.”
“Certainly, the environment became an extremely difficult one for all of us,” White said. “His (Johnston’s) offer to step aside made it possible for the organization to move forward.”
Chris White, CHS chairman, from his Facebook page.
White predicted that state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s investigation will clear the society. I would not be sure of that, especially having read CHS’s response to allegations. The response – prepared by their lawyers – raises more questions than provides answers.
Blumenthal began his investigation in early January after I turned over to him signed statements from former CHS workers accusing Johnston and the board of financial improprieties and mistreatment of workers. OSHA began its investigation into Johnston and the CHS after I disclosed that a Sept. 11, 2009, inspection was hampered because while the inspectors were distracted, Johnston and managers managed to hide evidence of violations.
OSHA returned in January and questioned workers individually and decided to fine one of the oldest and best-known charities $6,800.
It was only after a hearing where workers said CHS should not have to lose that much money that OSHA dropped the fine to $4,700. White told The Courant that the OSHA violations were minor. I wonder if the workers who were injured and complained to OSHA agree.
We have yet to find out what kind of severance package Johnston was offered to resign after having ran the agency for 20 years as both its full-time president/director and chairman. As the chairman he selected all 12 board members, including White.
White is one of six board members who directly or through their firms received payment for services to CHS. White’s publishing business received more than $30,000 in advertising for his publications. He has so far refused to on the record discuss those payments. It is believed that neither the advertisements or any of the more than $200,000 paid to insiders were ever put up for bid.
Maybe White would want to clear the air about his conflict of interest and tell us one allegation made since Jan. 1 that he can prove is false. I would be happy to debate him publicly on any of these issues.
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White can say what he wants about RJ’s liberal use of donations. Fine. But does he have a response for the factually supported assertions that euthanasia skyrocketed under RJs quest for the never ending dollar? Can he offer another explanation for a 50 percent cut in staffing correlating to a 50 percent increase in employee injury? Can he explain why new hires, brought in post union, with no superior experience, were given positions of seniority and a disproportionate starting salary? Does he have an answer to the many witness who saw RJ misleading OSHA and why, if no impropriety took place, there was a subsequent investigation with a senior OSHA representative? Why, when up to 50% of OSHA’s fines could be waived CHS is still on the hook for almost 70% of the original charge?
Mr. White has the unique opportunity to take charge of CHS and turn it into a leading animal care facility. I strongly suggest he looks to the future and considers what he can do to benefit the animals, the staff, the donors and the people of Connecticut and STOP covering for the Board, Johnston, management etc. This is a chance to move forward, in a positive direction for everyone.
Continued assertions of benevolence and innocence are, at this point, frankly, disgusting.
Ophelia you are totally correct. Mr. White needs to open his eyes to the TRUTH, AND IT IS TRUE what has been said. These animals and the wonderful people that care for them need to be supported and taken care of. MR. WHITE IT IS NOW YOUR TIME TO SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS!
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Let’s give him a chance. I doubt he is a dumb guy…he knows that his new position will involve intense and constant scrutiny. For that reason, I have a feeling that he will be working to change CHS for the better. He has a chance to do something great, and we should support his efforts to restore CHS to what it once was. If that isn’t his plan, well, we have plenty of resources to ensure that someone well-intentioned replaces him. But for now, maybe lay off the guy a little.
I agree. We are taking steps in a positive direction. Let’s not proceed blindly, but let’s not jump down the throat of someone that we need as our ally. Personally, I don’t think he would be so stupid to make the same mistakes RJ made, especially knowing he has a determined group of people watching his every move to ensure that doesn’t happen! We need to support him and hope for positive change, regardless as to whether or not his “support” of RJ angers us.
I don’t see the BOD defending Johnston either. All they said was that he didn’t steal. Thats not exactly a solid endorsement. And the press release someone printed here isnt “defending” him either. Read between the lines. It basically says “don’t let the door hit you on your way out.” The BOD didn’t say one nice thing about him. After 20 years? I actually think the BOD isn’t defending him at all. They hung him out to dry, where he belongs. Give them a break for now anyway.
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To me it sounds like he doesn’t get it and doesn’t want to get it. And until I am confident that the Board and new administrators are REALLY going to make changes in the way they run the shelter, treat the animals, and deal with the staff and volunteers then my checkbook will remain closed to them.
I have to say that in our meeting with Chris White at CHS the other day that I wasn’t impressed with him or the other 2 board members there. He did make comments on the OSHA inspection and the fines CHS was given. He said it wasn’t a big deal and consided the matter no longer a concern? He once again said that the AJ has not and will not find ANY wrong doing by RBJ or the CT. Humane Society. He has used that comment way to many times, I wonder if he would bet his job on it? I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Chris and the rest of the board have yet to converse with the staff with the exception of “managers”. I bet he doesn’t know any of our names and I get the feeling that he doesn’t care to either. One thing that can’t go on is the management teams downstairs. My concern is mostly on adoptions, major changes need to be made rather sooner than later. They have soooo many “managers” that they trip over each other all day long. I know it was RBJ way of trying to union bust but seriously did he have to make everyone a “manager”?
Mr. White has stated that the current managerial format will not change (apparently he supports, like Richard Johnston, the constant abuse of employees) and that Richard Johnston has done nothing wrong. That doesn’t exactly sound like change we can believe in. They are increasing staffing numbers, which is great. And they are implementing new euthanasia guidelines, which is great. But those are things that employees, volunteers, the media, osha, the attorney general, and everything else short of an act of god forced Management and the Board to do. The Board, and Mr. White, have not stepped up and decided, out of any personal desire to do right, to do anything at all except maintain, to the very best of their abilities, the status quo. I encourage civil communication between all interested parties and the New Boss, but don’t expect much of a change.
I’m happy to give the Board a solid chance. I am in no hurry to polish my pitchfork or light up my torch. However, White’s tell tale comments CANNOT be ignored or happily swept under the rug.
Where he could have said something like “we are sad to see RJ leave under such circumstances, appreciate his hard work, etc etc, and are looking forward to working with the staff and volunteers to make positive change at CHS…” he instead said:
“‘many of the allegations made about the society were not true, or exaggerated’ and denied any financial malfeasance.â€
In my opinion he called those asking for change and accountability liars. Flat out. Not in between the lines. No interpretation required. Liars. And it was a continuation of the same CYA statements we’ve seen all along. RJ’s words coming out of White’s mouth. This is NOT progress.
I want to give the Board and White a chance, but already they are off to a rocky start. Until I see actual change I will call more of the more of the same.
It took time, but hopefully the CHS is headed in the right direction – and that is getting rid of those who have injured, and killed the innocent – please don’t stop with Dick Johnston. The goal of the HUMANE Society, is to treat people and animals humanely. For the last 20 years this goal got lost completely. Not only the animals were treated inhumanely, but the workers also! Don’t loose sight of that fact. Yes, we need to protect the animals, but the people who work there need to be treated humanely also! Under Dick’s command, the workers were threatened, manipulated, abused, and fired unfairly, and illegally. Animals were neglected, and euthanized improperly. Time for some legal firings of those, who with Dick, abused their power. The time for Hitleresque authority at the CHS to end! Time for the “Himmlers” to be removed as well! In this day and age, it’s hard to believe that the atmosphere that existed for so long at the CHS, was not stopped sooner – way sooner!
In my opinion, the punishment does not fit the crime. Just allowing Dick Johnstone, and any of his croonies that may hopefully follow him, to just step down, is a crime. They should be locked up for their crimes against the innocent victims – both animal, and human, who’s lives were innocently entrusted to them under the deceptive auspices of ‘humane” treatment.
Power, money, and greed have been the downfall of many. Don’t we ever learn?
Change happens slowly, and although there are still major management changes to be made I’m hopeful that CHS will become the kind of place it should be. There’s lots of potential! Now I heard there’s 7 current daily managers on staff, yes you heard right 7! I think there’s only 10 staff members! Come on now, really! Ok when CHS gets to a normal place, maybe I will even go back!
Seriously…does Chris White think we are complete morons? Him, RJ, and that horribly corrupt management team need to be sent to prison!
All the facts that were presented were true…tons of past and present employees and volunteers have proof of financial wrong doing and stories of gruesome euthanasias and harrassment by management. He is a fool to publically lie. It’s all going to come out and then his cheesy little Hartford magazine will vanish. Especially now that he doesn’t have RJ to pay his bills.
So the corruption and crimes against animals still continue at the CHS. Insiders report management is back to their old ways…being bullies and distorting the true mission of the society. What people don’t realize is that Dick Johnston may be gone, but the place is still run by his toadies. These unqualified managers, BOD members-esp the rotten chairman, and executives are the ones calling the shots. Don’t forget Dick hired these people because they would do whatever he said without question, they have no morals or true understanding or concern of what animal care really means. Not to mention they aided and abetted Dick in illegal practices! What is going on here? This is still allowed to happen? Not to mention the new chairmen of the BOD lies to the public on a constant basis.
The behaviorist, if you can even call her that, has a breed bias. She openly stated that all labs are stupid dogs, plain and simple. She does not like herding breeds at all. She loves pitbulls…that’s about it. Currently she spends ALL her time with a pitbull named Bam Bam that has a bite history. He can’t even be placed through the society due to policy regarding bite history. While there are great dogs like Brady, who are not pitbulls, rotting away in the shelter. Brady has dog aggression…and they want to place him through a rescue. Can you believe that the richest animal organization in the state is looking for some tiny rescue to absorb the financial and behavioral implications this “dog aggressive” canine may incurr. They are unwilling to work with the dog, pay for it’s care, and place it for adoption themselves. The behaviorist does not have time for Brady because…A) he is not a pittbull B) She spends her day working with Bam Bam, a dog with a bite history. Dogs who have bite histories are usually euthanized at CHS. I am not wishing harm on pitbulls, but what goes for pitbulls should then be the standards for all dogs. And finally C) she is too busy trainging dogs to ride skateboards in the hall and watching YouTube than to work with the wonderful begaviorally challenged dogs that aren’t pitbulls at the shelter…Oh and we can’t forget euthanizing dogs after hours so as not to alert the staff…
People please, do you see what’s going on here? Demand answers, help the coalition expose these crimes, and for pete’s sake don’t listen to Chris Whites lies.