Ververka

I. BACKGROUND

CalVet is a state agency tasked with operating veterans homes within California. During Ververka’s tenure, CalVet’s Undersecretary was Russell Atterberry, who reported to CalVet’s Secretary, Vito Imbasciani. In 2014, the Governor appointed Ververka as administrator of the veterans home in Yountville. As administrator, Ververka oversaw all aspects of the home’s operation, including staffing, budgeting, and maintaining the home’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations. He served as administrator until May 2017, when the Governor’s Office removed him from his position. A. Events Leading Up to Ververka’s Removal Ververka made reports to an independent state agency and to his superiors at CalVet regarding safety and health issues at the Yountville home, such as lack of heating and air-conditioning and inoperable elevators, and about his belief that CalVet was violating federal law. He reiterated many of his concerns to Imbasciani in May 2017. A few days later, Atterberry “made the calls” to the Governor’s Office to recommend Ververka’s removal, and the Governor’s Office informed Ververka the next day that he was being removed.

2 Atterberry claimed he…