LOMA LINDA, Calif. (KABC) -- Multiple investigations into allegations of a hostile work environment and abuse at the Veterans Medical Center in Loma Linda resulted in the recommendation of termination for a supervisor at the hospital.
However, administrators have decided to allow the employee to remain at work, even after several whistleblowers have come forward. The situation now has the attention of Rep. Jay Olbernolte (R - Big Bear Lake), who toured the facility Friday morning.
"This was three different investigations, the last of which had a concrete recommendation for termination," said Olbernolte, who said he fears that the problem might extend beyond one employee.
"We in Congress would not be getting involved over a disciplinary action against a single employee," Olbernolte said. "We are concerned about the workplace culture."
Olbernolte would not reveal specifics about what the supervisor was doing to allegedly cause a hostile work environment, out of concerns that providing that information might reveal the identities of the whistleblowers.
But he said the effect the work environment has had on employees is severe.
"One of the things we're looking at is an employee suicide that we fear might be related to this," Olbernolte said.
When asked whether he thought the abuse might extend beyond other employees and that veterans might be suffering because of it, Olbernolte said it's something they're investigating but he doubts it's likely.
"It's something we're looking...
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