11/30/07: Former Depot Commander: Whistle Blower Was A 'Hothead'

Associated Press
POSTED: 7:12 am EST November 30, 2007
UPDATED: 11:26 am EST November 30, 2007

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A former commander at Blue Grass Army Depot said a former employee who raised safety concerns was a "hothead" with an attitude problem.

But Lt. Col. George Shuplinkov said the Army never tried to push Donald Van Winkle out of his job.

Van Winkle is suing the Army, claiming it tried to retaliate against him for going public with safety concerns by forcing him into taking a disability retirement after he broke his back.

Thursday was the third day of testimony in the hearings in front of a U.S. administrative law judge.

Shuplinkov said Van Winkle resigned voluntarily after the agency revoked his right to work around the hazardous materials stored in igloos at the Richmond depot.