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VA hospital head is inquiry target

Allegations of poor care and criminal acts have shadowed the Haley VA center director.

By PAUL DE LA GARZA
Published October 16, 2006

TAMPA ­— The director of the embattled James A. Haley VA Medical Center is a subject of a wide-ranging investigation of the nation’s busiest VA hospital.

The review of Forest Farley began after allegations of poor patient care and criminal activity surfaced at Haley.

Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores, said the Veterans Affairs Department told him last week that its investigation is complete and that the findings have been forwarded to VA headquarters.

Young said he was not briefed on the results of the investigation. The VA has declined to release details of the review or its potential effect on Farley.

However, the leadership of the subcommittee that monitors the VA in the U.S. House has been sharply critical of Haley management.

Young, one of the most powerful voices in Congress on veterans’ issues, said the review of Farley likely was prompted by problems that have plagued Haley on his watch.

Last year, federal prosecutors indicted several people in an alleged kickback scheme during construction of the spinal cord injury center at Haley.

A few weeks ago, federal prosecutors indicted a former VA police officer at Haley on charges of identity theft. The investigation into the VA police department at Haley has expanded.

The VA inspector general also is looking into allegations of poor patient care at the hospital, including the recent death of a 73-year-old veteran who tested positive for cocaine. The Hillsborough County sheriff’s homicide unit is working with VA investigators on that case.

A graduate of the University of South Florida and a Vietnam War veteran, Farley was appointed Haley director in December 2004. He began his VA career in 1981 at the Vietnam Veterans Outreach Center in St. Petersburg.
Before Haley, Farley was director of the Lexington, Ky., VA Medical Center.

In a statement last week, Haley spokeswoman Carolyn Clark said she could neither confirm nor deny that Farley was the subject of an internal review.

She noted that VA hospitals undergo a variety of internal and external examinations from various organizations “aimed at insuring the quality of care provided to veterans, as well as the integrity of those who deliver that care.”

Over the summer, members of the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations visited Haley for briefings on the various problems. Chairman Michael Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs, said he would keep a close eye on Haley to make sure it provides veterans quality care.

Paul de la Garza can be reached at Delagarza@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3432.

[Last modified October 16, 2006, 23:38:45]