Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has removed Kent Davis as the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs due to a months-long scandal and conflict with state leaders. Ivey, who leads the State Board of Veterans Affairs, cited a lack of cooperation, mishandling of grant programs, filing of a frivolous ethics complaint, and breach of an agreement between her and Davis as reasons for his removal.
Ivey had asked the board to side with her and remove Davis, who expressed a desire to finish out the year in his position. However, after the board voted in support of Davis, Ivey used her executive power to remove him. She stated that new leadership at the Department of Veterans Affairs is necessary and that she is confident that the state government can make Alabama a better place for veterans.
In a letter to Davis, Ivey highlighted his failure to cooperate, mishandling of grant programs, manipulation of the board, and breach of their agreement regarding his resignation. Davis was expected to publicly and privately explain that all issues concerning the grant program had been resolved, but he failed to do so at board meetings in October.
Last week, board vice-chair Scott Gedling accused Davis of manipulating the board to garner support. Despite this, the board had voted unanimously to ask Davis to reconsider his resignation. Ivey’s decision to remove Davis from his position has sparked controversy, and the story will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
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