Head of Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, Kent Davis, filed an ethics complaint against Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell and others, alleging collusion to withhold American Rescue Plan Act funds from veterans affairs. The complaint also accuses Boswell of attempting to sabotage a bill creating a state-run mental health care system for veterans, though a less comprehensive version was eventually passed. The dispute stems from funding for veterans care provider John Kilpatrick’s Vets Recovery clinic. The complaint claims Kilpatrick criticized ADMH at an Opioid Settlement Oversight Committee meeting, leading to tension between the agencies. Boswell allegedly voided an agreement over $7 million in funding, including a grant for Kilpatrick’s clinic. Kilpatrick, a military veteran, denied any conflicts of interest. Governor Kay Ivey defended Boswell, praising her work in mental health care. Boswell was unaware of the complaint until contacted by the media and is bound by ethics commission confidentiality. The Ethics Commission and ADVA refused to comment further, citing confidentiality, despite leaked details about the complaint. The complaint also addressed legislative efforts to expand ADVA’s mental health role, though a scaled-back version of the bill was passed. Kilpatrick, a board member, said he was not involved in the bill’s drafting. The sources of the leak are unknown, causing concern among officials. The Ethics Commission is expected to investigate the matter, and all parties involved pledged to cooperate.
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