Tomah VA worker granted more time to enter plea

Mental health counselor accused
of sexual assaulting patients

A mental health worker at the Tomah VA Medical Center will be back in court late next month on charges of sexual assault against his patients.

Charles Davis appeared before a Monroe County judge today and was granted more time to prepare for a not-guilty plea.

The 47-year-old peer-support specialist was responsible for counseling inpatient female veterans in the PTSD and substance abuse units.

Davis was arrested Jan. 4, 2016 for allegedly forcing one female patient to have oral sex and exposing himself to another patient at the Tomah VA.

According to the complaint, Davis made repeated sexual advances on the women, including a 26-year-old veteran who was getting treatment for military sexual trauma. She said to police Davis had exposed himself after calling her into his office.

A 32-year-old said he sent her sexually inappropriate pictures of himself. The complaint also said she gave him oral sex in his office.

Davis was originally hired by the VA as a housekeeper, before being promoted after becoming certified through the facilities own peer-support training program.

No date has been set for Davis to enter not-guilty pleas in preparation for a trial. He was placed on administrative, unpaid leave when he was arrested.

The facility came under scrutiny last year following reports that physicians were prescribing more painkillers than most VA hospitals, and that employees who spoke out were subjected to intimidation.

A 35-year-old Marine veteran died in the hospital from a lethal combination of prescribed medications.

At least three top officials have since been fired.

And, lastly, a nurse’s aide was cited for disorderly conduct for allegedly shoving a patient.