EX-VA OFFICIAL NO WHISTLE-BLOWER, COUNSEL FINDS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 20, 1993                   TAG: 9301200297
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
EX-VA OFFICIAL NO WHISTLE-BLOWER, COUNSEL FINDS
The U.S. office of special counsel has closed its investigation on Dr. Larry Edwards, finding no evidence to support his claim that he was fired four months ago from the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center because he blew the whistle on segments of the center's operation.
Edwards' attorneys in Washington had asked the office to seek a stay from the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board to prevent the Department of Veterans Affairs from firing him. Edwards claimed that he was fired as chief of staff in Salem because he disclosed "administrative irregularities" to VA officials last year, including $500,000 worth of prescription drugs that could not be accounted for.
William E. Reukauf, associate special counsel, said Tuesday that an investigation turned up nothing to substantiate Edwards' allegations.
"We determined we would not be able to establish termination because of whistle-blowing," Reukauf said. "We don't believe his case has merit."
Edwards can appeal the office's decision to the protection board, Reukauf said. Whether he will could not be determined Tuesday. Edwards' Washington attorney, William Bransford, could not be reached for comment.
The office of special counsel's decision does end Edwards' dispute with the VA. Edwards has sued the Department of Veterans Affairs, claiming that release to the news media of a letter calling for his resignation last June violated his privacy rights. Edwards also has filed an unfair-labor practice complaint.
The whistle-blower claim, however, was "by far the most important," said John Presley, director of the Salem medical center.
"He was pointing out certain deficiencies," Presley said. "And every one of them he was pointing out was in an area he was supposed to be supervising. I'm very pleased that at least this part has come to an end."
Presley said Edwards is living in St. Louis and is seeking work there.
Edwards' termination last September followed a recommendation from a professional standards board, appointed to review his employment after he refused to resign.
Edwards was one of three of the Salem medical center's top administrators to leave last year.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB