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

DATE: FRIDAY, August 27, 1993                   TAG: 9308270295
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VA WON'T REVEAL ITS FINDINGS

But the findings, for now, are being kept between the VA and the regional office employee who filed the complaint, VA officials said this week.

The VA's Equal Employment Opportunity office in Washington started the investigation three months ago into a sexual harassment complaint filed against the office's director, Sam Tiano. The allegations stemmed from what some office employees said were crude remarks that Tiano made to the employee.

The EEO's findings were sent last month to the woman who made the complaint. She had 30 days to decide how she wanted to proceed - with a hearing before an EEO administrative judge followed by a final decision by the VA's Office of General Counsel, or with an immediate decision by the Office of General Counsel without a hearing.

On July 29, the employee, whose identity has not been revealed, waived a hearing and requested an immediate decision by the Office of General Counsel, said Gerald Tognetti, director of the VA's discrimination complaint service in Washington.

Until a decision is reached - within two to four weeks - VA officials have declined to comment on the EEO's findings and what action was recommended.

Tiano left his post in late April after being granted a request for personal leave. The VA appointed Stewart Liff, assistant director of the VA regional office in New York, to fill Tiano's post temporarily.

Gary L. Cole, the Roanoke regional office's assistant director, is now serving as acting director.

Tiano, who could not be reached for comment, has not been removed from his position, Tognetti said. He is on sick leave, said C. Fay Norred, deputy area field director for the Veterans Benefits Administration in Washington.

If he so requests, Tiano would be entitled to see those portions of the EEO report that would assist in defending himself against the charges, Tognetti said.

The Roanoke regional office serves all Virginia veterans except for those in Arlington and Fairfax County - a total of 508,000 people. The office administers veterans benefits, including compensation and pension, disability, insurance and home-loan guarantees.