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August 1, 2012

Claremore Veteran’s Center officials resign

Salesha Wilken Oklahoma Climatology Survey

CLAREMORE — After a recent investigation into the death of 85 year-old veteran Jay Minter, two administrators with the Claremore Veterans Center resigned this week.

Martha Spears and Cynthia Adams are listed as retired, according to the VA. 
Local news sources report that Adams offered no reason for her resignation.
Minter was scalded in a whirlpool bath at the center and the Department of Veteran Affairs investigated his death earlier this year.
This was not the first time the center faced criminal investigation, as another local family filed a wrongful death suit against the Claremore Veterans Center and the Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs in 2004.
The family was awarded, as a result of the case, regarding the death of Helen Blackwell Lamb.
Minter has yet to file a similar lawsuit against the Claremore center. Reports indicate that the family has filed a tort claim against the Department of Veterans Affairs.
As a result of Minter’s death the District Attorney’s office has reviewed the case, case according to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. The Claremore Progress contacted the District Attorney’s office, however officials were not available for comment.
The Tulsa World reports that the Rogers County District Attorney will not be filing charges in the case.
Additionally the report states that the internal investigation indentified willful negligence and abuse by multiple employees of the Claremore center.
Adam’s husband was the physician assistant that was on call the night of Mintor’s death. He retired June 1 from the agency. The Office of the Attorney General was contacted on the possibility of a federal investigation, officials would not confirm or deny if any further investigation is underway.

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