Mick Hinton
05/04/2000
Two more state Health Department employees were suspended Wednesday, bringing the total to eight, said Dr. Jay A. Gregory, president of the state Board of Health.
Jerry Regier, acting department director, wouldn't name the two additional suspended employees.
Gregory said, "They have been asked to remain at home and stay away from the building until state and federal authorities complete an investigation of their computer and personal files."
Aside from Deputy Commissioner Brent VanMeter, the paid suspensions don't mean that they are suspected of criminal activity, officials said.
Regier said he intends to decide today whether VanMeter should be suspended "without pay" in light of new information provided in a court affidavit.
He will decide soon whether the other employees will be disciplined, kept in their current jobs or reassigned to other positions.
Those told Tuesday to stay away from the department offices, according to several reliable sources, include:
- VanMeter, who makes $87,900 per year as deputy commissioner over nursing homes.
- Evelyn Battle, chief of the department's long-term care inspections division. Battle started with the department Oct. 15, 1963.
- Linda Wilkerson, first assistant to Battle, employed since Jan. 12, 1987.
- Judy Cochran, a department inspector who took a leave of absence from the department and was named administrator of the Choctaw Living Center when it was in trouble. Cochran joined the department on May 23, 1988.
- Karen Varner, assistant to VanMeter, hired Jan. 16, 1996.
- Jerry Taylor, an hourly employee, hired Jan. 21, 1974.
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