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Union leader calls for director of Indy Veterans Affairs hospital to step down

Posted at 11:47 PM, May 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-16 23:47:21-04

INDIANAPOLIS – A national union leader wants the director of the Veteran Affairs hospital in Indianapolis to step down because he believes the facility has been run like a “plantation.”

David Holway, president of the National Association of Government Employees said the VA tried to bribe a man to keep his job.

Iraq war veteran Allen Poythress said he was fired from Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indy after he complained his police chief used racial slurs on the job. VA officials said Poythress was let go because of failing to disclose information on his job application.

Call 6 Investigators learned Poythress could keep his job for at least a year if he signed an agreement dropping his complaint – this action was what upset Holway.

“That is a bribe,” said Holway. “It's the worst form of bullying. They tried to bully him to take out his EEOC complaint to save his job. Historically, VA hospitals have been run like plantations. The directors of these hospitals think they own the hospital."

He said he wants the police chief placed on leave or the hospital’s director to resign.

“Plantation owners…my word is what it is. Many hospital directors I run into act in that manner. It's my way or the highway. This particular director will have meetings and say if you don't want to be on the bus we will help you get off the bus. It's time for him to stop driving the bus. He should get off the bus,” said Holway.

The director of the Roudebush VA Medical Center, Brian Hancock, released the following response: