State inspection: Tallahassee complex had bacteria, bats and mold

A report is showing that a Tallahassee office complex used by state employees had active mold growth in the air ducts and bacterial endotoxins in the carpet.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Thursday released the results of an inspection of the complex where bat feces were discovered earlier this year.

Ken Lawson, the head of the agency, says the report justifies the decision by state officials to move roughly 850 state workers out of the former mall. Inspectors discovered pounds of bat feces above the ceiling in Lawson’s office in March.

State legislators ordered a halt to lease payments to the complex owners. Both the state and the complex owners have filed lawsuits against each other.

Northwood Associates, the owner of the complex, has contended the action by state legislators is unconstitutional.