A spokesman for the Amarillo Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System confirmed to The Tennessee Star on Tuesday that it is now investigating following the publication by The Star of video that purportedly shows two staff members engaged in a sex act at the Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center in Amarillo, Texas on August 17, 2022.
Emily Bell, the public affairs officer for the Amarillo VA, told The Star on Tuesday that the agency “has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, and we take any allegation extremely seriously. We are investigating this matter thoroughly, and we will take any appropriate action at the conclusion of our investigation.”
The VA did not confirm whether the employees depicted in the video released on Monday by The Star remain employed, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation, but the spokesman stated the agency holds “every employee accountable to the highest standards of care and respect, and we will continue to do so at the Amarillo VA and all other VA facilities.”
This response comes more than two years after retired U.S. Army Sergeant Donald Belzer told The Star he filed his initial complaint, which he stated was submitted in August 2022. It also follows Belzer’s second complaint, through the White House VA Hotline created under President-elect Donald Trump’s first term, in April 2023.
Despite more than two years passing from the date the video was recorded by Belzer, who served overseas in the Global War on Terror and received an Army Commendation Medal for valor as a result of his service, the VA spokesman declined to clarify to The Star when the investigation began.
Bell acknowledged the investigation as the VA faces a congressional probe over allegations of multiple sexual acts between staff members at a medical center in Johnson City, Tennessee, where Breitbart News reported earlier this month that one man resigned after he was allegedly intimate with at least 32 staff members at the facility.
The outlet additionally reported that an orgy between VA staff members took place, involving a dozen people, and that “several” VA officials resigned as the probe continues.
The Star contacted Representative Michael Bost (R-IA-12), who leads the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, to ask for comment about the alleged sex act caught on video but did not receive a comment prior to press time.
Watch the full video sent to The Star by Belzer:
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Amarillo VA Health Care System” by Amarillo VA Health Care System.
