Conn Humane Society President Quits Under Fire, New Chairman Named

Three months after CtWatchdog began publishing accusations of wrongdoing against the full-time president and chairman of the board of the Connecticut Humane Society, Richard Johnston has resigned under tremendous pressure.

Facing investigation by the state attorney general and OSHA, Johnston Monday quit his $100,000-plus job that he had held for 20 years. Both the state and federal investigations were launched as the result of CtWatchdog columns.

The former state legislator, lawyer and real estate agent had been accused by present and former staff of bullying and harassing workers he didn’t like, forcing the euthanasia of many animals because not enough staff was available despite tens of millions of dollars in the bank, firing those who voted for a union, and abusing his own animals.

He also closed two shelters in Stamford and Bethany to save expenses, forcing tiny shelters with little funds to care of thousands of animals.

Up until this weekend, his hand-selected board, half of whom received money directly or for their businesses for services provided to the Newington-based society, defended Johnston and their own stewardship of one of the oldest and best-known charities in the state.

The person most responsible for Johnston’s ouster is New Britain teacher’s aide Cathy DeMarco, who, after working for a few months last summer at CHS, organized workers, brought a union in, convinced me to begin an investigation, and convinced employees to provide me with signed statements that I could turn over to authorities.

Johnston – who supposedly had been on medical leave for the past three weeks – resigned Monday afternoon, according to a press release from his organization today. Since I began publishing accusations against Johnston on Jan. 5, Johnston has refused to comment directly on any of the allegations, but through a spokeswoman denied any wrongdoing and threatened to sue me and his accusers for libel.

“After giving 24 years of dedicated service to the Connecticut Humane Society and its Fox Memorial Pet Hospital, all with an emphasis on saving life and creating state-of-the-art pet shelters, pet home sanctuaries, and medical facilities, all to the purpose of compassionately housing pets and medically treating them when necessary, I have decided to go on to other philanthropic pursuits,” Johnston said in a prepared statement.

“Over the years I have approached both my job and the mission of the Connecticut Humane Society with absolute integrity, fairness, professionalism, and moving to the ultimate goal of having every place for every unwanted animal through a non-kill approach. I have attained the important legislative goals of the establishment of including pets in estate planning with Pet Trusts, a state mandate to include our pets in disaster response planning, and the protection of wildlife and important state and regional heritage sites through the protection of our dwindling spaces. I have sincerely tried to speak consistently for every animal in our state as they cannot speak for themselves.”

Johnston concluded: “I wish all of the best to the dedicated employees, volunteers and supporters of both organizations as our world needs, more than ever, the Society’s mission of ‘promoting humanity and kindness.’ Thank you for your kind support over the years, and may God bless you.”

The press release also said “The Board accepted Johnston’s resignation as Executive Director and from the Board of Directors by acknowledging his many years of dedicated service, and thanking him for his commitment to the 129 year-old charitable institution. The Board particularly noted his service to the people and animals of New Orleans during his leadership of a disaster response team during the immediate two weeks following Hurricane Katrina.”

“The Board of Directors has taken steps to ensure a smooth transition at the conclusion of Johnston’s tenure. Chief Financial Officer Raymond Gasecki was appointed Acting Executive Director, and Fox Memorial Clinic Director Joanne Freeman was named Acting Assistant Executive Director.”

Board member Christopher White was elected president of the board of directors of the Connecticut Humane Society and president of the board of directors of the Fox Memorial Clinic. White is also the publisher of Hartford Magazine and Life newspapers in central Connecticut. His publications have received more than $30,000 in advertising from the society.

“Our first order of business was to form a Personnel Committee comprised of members of both Boards, to begin the search for a new Executive Director,” White said. “We expect the process to take 4-6 months, but in the meantime we are very well served by Ray and Joanne, who are both dedicated and caring individuals who are committed to continuing the great work of the Connecticut Humane Society.”

The following is a press release from the “Coalition for Change” that was organized by DeMarco:

The Coalition for Change, a group of more than 150 current and former Connecticut Humane Society employees, volunteers, and other concerned citizens, has issued its response to the announcement that Richard Johnston has resigned from the Connecticut Humane Society.

Cathy DeMarco, a former CHS employee who was instrumental in the formation of the Coalition, said of today’s development, “Johnston’s departure is a victory for both the animals and the employees at the Connecticut Humane Society. His management practices were causing a steady decline at what was once one of the most respected charities in our state. It’s time for CHS to start righting a long list of wrongs.”

The Coalition for Change came together in mid-2009 to address increasing worries among Connecticut Humane Society employees that the organization was deteriorating at a rapid pace. Individual reports of mistreatment and abuse of employees by Richard Johnston stretched back for years, but the group had become particularly concerned that bad management was starting to negatively impact the animals. The shelters were understaffed, which meant employees often did not have adequate time to socialize animals with behavior problems. Those animals, in turn, were more likely to be euthanized. Managers also reported that they were compelled by Johnston to move animals through the building quickly to keep the number of animals “handled” high.

After the Coalition came together, the employees decided to enlist the help of a union to protect them while they worked to improve conditions for the animals at the society. In December 2009, the employees voted 18-15 to join the Machinists’ Union (IAMAW). Johnston contested the vote, and subsequently fired several employees for participating in union activities. On Jan. 7, 2010, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced that he has begun an investigation into allegations of financial improprieties at the Connecticut Humane Society.

The coalition called a press conference on Jan. 20 to make a public statement about its concerns over the management of the Connecticut Humane Society. At that time, they called for the removal of Johnston from his position as the president, executive director, and chairman of the board of the organization.

“It has always been our position that Richard Johnston was the one primarily responsible for the many problems at the Connecticut Humane Society,” said Maureen Lord, spokesperson for the Coalition for Change. “Because he served as both the Executive Director and the Chairman of the Board, he basically supervised himself. That allowed him to get away with practices that were at least questionable, for far too long.”

“We hope the Board of Directors will continue to keep our concerns in mind during this transition period,” said DeMarco. “Johnston’s resignation certainly moves the organization much closer to where it needs to be, but we have to learn from history. The Board needs to put safeguards in place so no one can come in and exercise unchecked power, particularly for their own gain. Positive change at the Connecticut Humane Society starts today.”

The Connecticut Humane Society is one of Connecticut’s oldest and most prominent charitable organizations. It is headquartered in Newington, with satellite shelters operating in Westport and Waterford. For more information about the efforts of the Coalition for Change, visit www.coalitionforchange.info.