NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The head of Tennessee’s Veterans Services, as well as a top deputy, resigned following separate investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct and abusive behavior, records show.
Gov. Bill Lee’s office confirmed Monday that former Commissioner Courtney Rogers and Deputy Commissioner Tilman Goins had resigned. The governor’s office did not reveal further details about why or when the resignations had taken place.
Instead, investigation summary reports provided to The Associated Press by the Department of Human Resources show the two faced separate complaints and eventually submitted their resignation letters on Nov. 25.
The records show Rogers was accused of subjecting employees to abusive behavior – which included frequent yelling and belittling remarks. She was also accused of using inappropriate “racial and homophobic stereotypes and slurs.”
“Statements from a witness corroborated that the accused referred to a race of people as prostitutes who slept their way into the United States,” the report states of an incident at an undated military installation visit with Rogers.