Head of Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs refuses Ivey’s request to resign

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The fight between Gov. Kay Ivey and the head of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs continues as he has refused her request for him to resign .

On Thursday, Ivey sent a letter to Retired Rear Admiral Ken Davis, asking him to resign by 5 p.m. that day due to the way he has run the department, alleging he mishandled the department’s ARPA grant fund program. However, by the end of the day Thursday, Davis had yet to resign.

On Friday, Davis responded to Ivey, saying he would not resign. He was appointed to the office by in 2019 after being voted in by the State Board of Veterans Affairs and was subsequently offered the job by Ivey.

Davis released the following statement :

“I respectfully disagree with the inaccurate claims made against the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs this week. We have continuously been transparent in our department’s mission and day-to-day operations in our service to Alabama’s 400,000 Veterans. This includes earlier this year when ADVA attempted to work with members of the Governor’s staff, cabinet, and the Department of Finance regarding American Rescue Plan Act funds. At no time did our actions jeopardize the State of Alabama in fulfilling its obligations of the $2.1 billion in ARPA funds.

“This has been an outstanding year for the ADVA as we have completed the first planned expansion of the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort and next week will dedicate our fifth State Veterans Home, which is named in honor of Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient and Alabama native Bennie G. Adkins. We will continue to support Alabama’s Veterans and their families by assisting them with benefits they have earned, finding housing for homeless, seeking non-profit assistance for funding, and providing referrals for mental and physical health care.

“It is my desire and will to continue advocating for Alabama Veterans. We have come a long way in supporting our nation’s heroes, but the mission is far from complete. I look forward to continuing the fight by their sides.”

Ivey’s call for Davis’ resignation comes weeks after he had filed an ethics complaint against Kim Boswell, head of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, claiming she and others were “colluding” to keep the ADVA from receiving $7 million in funds through the American Rescue Plan Act, according to the Alabama Daily News and Lagniappe . The complaint against Boswell, who is a member of Ivey’s cabinet, was ultimately dismissed.

In addition to calling for Davis’ resignation, Ivey also dismissed John Kilpatrick from the State Board of Veterans’ Affairs. Kilpatrick was mentioned in Davis’ complaint about not being able to receive funds for his Vets Recover clinic in Mobile.

Responding to Davis’ refusal to resign, Ivey has now called a special meeting of the VA board to consider removing him from office on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

“In my view as Governor, the resulting damage to your working relationships has become irreparable,” Ivey wrote. “Again, I regret that your service must come to an end in this matter.”

Ivey’s full letter can be read below.

Additionally, Ivey’s office included a letter from the Alabama Department of Mental Health terminating its relationship with ADVA.

This story will be updated.

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