Lent Reinstated
But will he last 40 days?
On Friday, September 8, the Toiyabe Indian Health Project Board reinstated its suspended CEO, David Lent, on a 7-6 vote.
However, on Wednesday, September 13, Interim Board Chairman George Gholson allegedly refused to supply Lent with an official “reinstatement letter” as agreed upon in last Friday’s closed meeting. It appears that the Board may attempt to fire Lent as an “At-Will” employee at this coming Friday’s (Sept. 15) public meeting at 9 a.m. (an “At Will” employee is an employee that can be dismissed by an employer for any reason).
TIHP Clinic doctor Thomas Boo accompanied Lent to last Friday’s meeting, although he did not speak. He did confirm that Lent provided answers to all the questions raised in the single complaint letter from then-Human Resources Assistant, Geraldine Weaver. Weaver has been acting as the interim HR Director since, and is reportedly leaving the job to become the HR Director for the Bishop Tribe. The Sheet received information on Wednesday night that Weaver had been fired earlier in the day by Lent, who returned to work on Tuesday, during a “very loud and heated” argument between the two overheard by others working in the office.
It was also reported to The Sheet that the former acting CEO, Cynthia Stone, is out on “stress leave” and that two members or the TIHP Board for the Bishop and Big Pine tribes resigned after Lent was reinstated last Friday. One of the two Benton tribal representatives, Board member Shane Saulque, changed his vote to allow Lent to be reinstated after hearing Lent’s responses last Friday. He has reportedly been “threatened” by others who oppose the reinstatement.
