Tamara Rubin
Tamara Rubin is an American filmmaker and activist who served as the executive director of Lead Safe America from 2011 to 2016.[1][2][3]
Career
[edit]In 2005, a contractor used an illegal open-flame torch method to remove lead-based paint from Tamara Rubin's home in Northeast Portland, resulting in her young son becoming ill.[4][5] The Rubins received a $40,000 settlement, which they felt was insufficient considering the health consequences for their children and the costs of decontaminating their home. Rubin, then working as a computer consultant, began advocating against lead exposure. She spoke about lead hazards in schools and informed parents about the risks of lead in children's toys and jewelry through her website, mychildrenhaveleadpoisoning.com. Her efforts led to media attention, and she shared her family's experiences with lead poisoning. She also testified at legislative hearings in Salem, supporting new regulations on lead use.[6][7]
In 2011, Rubin left her job to focus full-time on producing a documentary on lead poisoning, MisLead: America's Secret Epidemic. In the same year, she also founded Lead Safe America.[6][4]
In 2016, Rubin was investigated by the Oregon Department of Justice for alleged theft and welfare fraud and was ousted from Lead Safe America.[8][9] Investigator Kris Kalanges reviewed approximately $450,000 in transactions between Rubin and the foundation over five years. This inquiry led to additional investigations by the IRS and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).[8] Following a 2016 investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice into financial mismanagement, Rubin's nonprofit, Lead Safe America Foundation, filed for dissolution with the state.[1] On November 13, 2017, a grand jury indicted Rubin on seven theft and two welfare fraud charges.[8] In 2019, ODHS determined that Rubin and her husband had received overpayment in public benefits.[8]
In November 2017, Rubin was booked into Multnomah County Jail on nine felony charges, including first-degree theft, public assistance fraud, and food stamp fraud.[1]
In 2019, Rubin filed a lawsuit alleging that Oregon state investigators violated her Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights by withholding exculpatory evidence. U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut dismissed the case in July 2022 after Rubin submitted three amended complaints.[8] Immergut ruled that Rubin's claims were barred by the statute of limitations, as she had been aware of Kalanges's analysis for over two years before filing the lawsuit.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Moore, Shasta Kearns (November 29, 2017). "Embattled former leader of Lead Safe America says felony charges are bogus". Portland Tribune.
- ^ Moore, Shasta Kearns (December 7, 2017). "Eastside Portland Air Coalition: $7,000 in donations entrusted to Tamara Rubin is missing". Portland Tribune.
- ^ staff, Tribune (January 5, 2017). "Where are they now?". Portland Tribune.
- ^ a b Sailor, Craig (May 21, 2016). "Poisoned kids turned mom into lead activist". The News Tribune.
- ^ Haupt, Angela (September 11, 2007). "Painting over dangers". Norwich Bulletin.
- ^ a b Law, Steve (May 16, 2013). "Mother's documentary exposes 'America's secret epidemic'". Portland Tribune.
- ^ Christensen, Jen; Sidner, Sara; Mallory, Simon (March 4, 2016). "Flint and lead poisoning: Living with it and uncertainty, long-term". CNN.
- ^ a b c d e f Mayham, Alanna (December 5, 2023). "Lead safety advocate appeals case against Oregon investigator over withheld evidence". Courthouse News Service.
- ^ Moore, Shasta Kearns (August 29, 2016). "Lead-safety activist ousted from nonprofit". Portland Tribune.