![Judge Says VA Montana Retaliated Against Whistleblower](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2015/01/131277275.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Judge Says VA Montana Retaliated Against Whistleblower
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A judge says a VA Montana leader harassed and retaliated against an employee because the worker filed a patient safety report over an operating room error.
Administrative Judge James Kasic's initial decision Friday orders the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay damages and offer former Associate Chief of Inpatient Care Dianne Scotten a job similar to what she held before she resigned in December 2014.
Scotten attorney Jill Gerdrum (JER'-drum) says Scotten has a new job and is not looking to return to the VA. Gerdrum says the judge's decision should give hope to people who want to speak out and hopefully lead to changes at VA Montana.
VA spokesman Mike Garcia did not return a call or email on Friday.
Scotten filed her whistleblower claim with the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board.
More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM
![Montana Air Quality Takes a Turn for the Worse](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-MissoulaSmoke716.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Mayor Davis attending second Bloomberg program on leadership](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-attachment-homeless-3-davis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UPDATE: Miller Peak Fire Near Missoula Grows to 1,700 Acres](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-MillerPeakFire-714-EDIT.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Court Victory for Montana Students With Special Needs](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-RS47253_GettyImages-494312894-scr-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Stay Cool Missoula: Tips From Disaster Services Director](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-RS27921_GettyImages-1011404062-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Knife-Wielding Woman Arrested in Missoula After Altercation](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-featured-image-2024-07-15T122519.061.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana Gas Prices Continue to Rise, More Increases Are Expected](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/04/attachment-RS48332_GettyImages-178371765-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Saving Money on Energy Bills During Missoula’s Summer Heatwave](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-RS20739_GettyImages-488874060-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Missoula Asks for Help to Save Drought Stressed Boulevard Trees](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-Drought-Stredded-Trees-3.jpg?w=980&q=75)