ACTION 8 UPDATE: Ivey wants state veterans affairs commissioner removed immediately
Photo from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
ACTION 8 UPDATE: Despite Alabama Dept. of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis’ plans to resign at the end of the year, Gov. Kay Ivey wants him removed from his position immediately.
Today, Ivey called a special meeting of the State Board of Veterans Affairs for Tuesday, October 22, so that an immediate removal of Davis can be considered.
As Action 8 News has reported, in early September, Ivey called for Davis’ resignation. The request came after alleged mishandling of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal grant program by proposing uses of grant funds that would be ineligible under U.S. Treasury rules and regulations and/or state law or policy.
FILE – Gov. Kay Ivey (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Ivey said that would have put in jeopardy the State of Alabama’s ability to fulfill its obligation under ARPA and the agency’s ability to effectively serve veterans.
At the same time, Ivey removed John Kilpatrick from his position as a member of the State Board of Veterans Affairs.
A few days later, Ivey said she and members of her senior staff met with Davis and he agreed to resign effective December 31.
At the time, Ivey released this statement:
“Our meeting with Commissioner Davis today was respectful, frank, and informative, with both sides gaining new perspective and insight about the challenges each of us face in fulfilling our respective roles. I appreciate Commissioner Davis’s record of service as Commissioner, and I appreciate him doing the right thing for our state and the future of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.”
The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs released this statement regarding the meeting:
“…Commissioner Kent Davis had a very cordial and informative meeting with Governor Ivey and her senior staff. This matter has been resolved to the mutual benefit of all parties…”
Today, Ivey sent a letter to Davis informing him that she would seek his removal for cause, based on what she said was a general lack of cooperation, mishandling of ARPA grant program, filing of a frivolous ethics complaint, breach of agreement, manipulation of the board, failure to comply and a general loss of trust and confidence.
In the letter, Ivey said Davis breached his resignation agreement because he failed to “publicly and privately explain that all then-outstanding issues concerning the ARPA grant program had been resolved.” She said he broke a promise when he didn’t speak about it during an October 9 meeting of the State Board of Veterans Affairs’ subcommittee on Veterans Benefits and Services and “you further broke this promise by your failure to clearly put these matters behind us during the October 10, 2024, regular meeting of the Board.”
READ THE LETTER AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
Action 8 News has reached out for comment from Commissioner Davis. We were told by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs that all questions have to be referred to his attorney. We are attempting to reach his attorney.
