Two administrators leave Minnesota Veterans Home in Hastings after investigation into complaints

HASTINGS, Minn. – The two administrators at the Minnesota Veterans Home here who were recently put on leave will not be going back to their old positions.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs just concluded its investigation of the home, prompted after residents came forward expressing concerns of retaliation if they spoke up about their care.

Administrator Chip Cox and Director of Nursing Connie Ball were both placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began.

According to a press release, both have “recently left state service.”

Veterans Department officials would only add that the two no longer are employed by the state.

The investigation concluded that the following allegations were substantiated:

--That Ball retaliated against staff members.

--That staff members worked in a fearful environment.

--That Cox had knowledge of or should have had knowledge regarding Ball’s actions and that he did not take action.

--That Cox’s actions and decision making were responsible for the state of the veterans home here.

--The investigation concluded that the allegation shared by residents that Ball retaliated against them was unsubstantiated.

--Allegations that Ball acted as a barrier or roadblock to resident care was substantiated in part.

--Also substantiated in part was the allegation that Ball and Cox were directing human resources at the home to conduct investigations on staff members.

“The Hastings Veterans Home has addressed or is addressing each of the areas identified by the findings of the recent internal investigation,” said Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner Gilbert Acevedo in a news release. “The administrator and director of nursing have recently left state service. However, it will take time, effort, training and strong leadership to make permanent and positive changes to the atmosphere at the Home.

“Our focus remains on improving operations and making the Hastings Veterans Home a place of honor for this nation’s heroes,” he added.

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The Hastings Star-Gazette and the Echo Press are Forum Communications Company newspapers.

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