Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 28, 1995 TAG: 9506290008
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
That portrayal, outlined in a report by the Piedmont Regional Office of the Department of Social Services, led Gov. George Allen to remove Fries from the center's Board of Trustees Friday, Betsy Beamer, state secretary of the commonwealth, said Tuesday.
The report was completed June 9. It was not given to the governor until last week, said Donna Baber, regional Social Services administrator.
The investigation focused on allegations that Fries subjected residents to insulting and abusive language. Fries called the allegations "ridiculous" and "ludicrous."
One staff member told investigators that Fries used "vulgar language around everyone."
"He uses the 'f' word in front of residents ... and in describing residents, called one resident 'little black btalks about staff in front of residents, and is, in general, loud, rude and crude," according to a description of complaints in the report.
One resident told investigators he had discussed the use of vulgar language with Fries, telling him "he should not talk so filthy around all the residents and staff, especially around the women ... but he 'thought he owned the building.'''
Among other allegations in the report:
Fries called the brother of one resident and told him he had a "body for him." The resident had been sick. The brother became upset and reported the incident to the governor's office.
Fries carried a handgun on center property.
Fries told one resident at the beginning of a board meeting that the resident could come in, but would have to keep his mouth shut.
The Social Services Department cited care center management for failing to intervene on behalf of the residents, even though many of the staff were required to report such incidents.
Some staff members told investigators they were afraid that doing so could cost their jobs, according to the report. One "began crying and said that the staff were all afraid of [Fries'] power at the facility." Another told investigators that employees were afraid Fries would have them fired.
"She stated that the rumor around the facility was that [Fries] was in charge of the facility," according to the report. "She felt [Fries] did use verbally abusive language around the residents."
But some who were interviewed by investigators said they would not characterize Fries' behavior as verbal abuse, "partially because the residents would sometimes talk back to him in the same way."
The resident whom Fries allegedly referred to as "little black btold investigators he didn't remember that, but said Fries often used "street talk" around him. The resident said he was not offended by Fries' language, "but the resident knew that some of the other residents did have conversations with [Fries] that they did not like."
Fries said one problem at the center was the difficulty some employees had relating to residents - "75- and 80-year-old World War II veterans and more than half of them combat veterans."
"Some of them are gruff, a little cranky," Fries said. "Right now, it's 100 percent all-male. That puts them in a different category from the little-old-lady nursing homes with a large percentage of women. These are rough and ready guys. They want to sit down and relate to someone - and sometimes tell a risque joke or two."
The 240-bed care center is a combination of nursing home and adult home. Sixty of those beds are licensed by the Piedmont regional office for adult home care.
"That's why we were in there," Baber said.
Another investigation, by the Area Agency on Aging in Roanoke, into similar allegations against Fries is expected to be completed this week.
The Roanoke Department of Social Services is investigating several adult protective services complaints, said Judy Brown, protective services supervisor. She declined to say if any involve Fries.
Fries' dismissal leaves four trustee seats to be filled next month. The terms of three trustees - Jeryl M. Martin of Collinsville, H. Russell Potts Jr. of Winchester and Alfred M. Tripp of Virginia Beach - expire Friday.
One of those appointees will be nominated by the speaker of the House of Delegates. The governor must select another from a list of nominees compiled by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections. The other two will be citizen appointments by Allen.
Beamer said the governor has made his selections but will not announce them until after July 4. One name on the Senate list is Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle.
Fries, 52, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, is an Army veteran who was honorably discharged in 1963. His community activities included president of a local Little League organization and involvement with Boy Scouts of America.
by CNB