Reports Cite "Ambiguity of Authority," Rigging Flaws in Staging Collapse

PLSN: Reports by Witt Associates (Washington, DC) and Thornton Tomasetti (New York) cited “ambiguity of authority” and inadequate wire and concrete anchor reinforcement as key factors in the Aug. 13, 2011 staging collapse at the Indiana State Fair that killed seven and injured 40. Both reports were released April 12. Also last week, Sugarland band members provided private video depositions from West Virginia that appear to contradict the testimony of the fair’s executive director, Cindy Hoye, according to published reports. The state fair’s chairman, Andre Lacy, saying he would rather put a higher priority on a safer future than on assigning blame for past events, has chosen not to accept Hoye's repeated offers to resign from her position.