Larry Kay has resumed his duties as the executive director of the Missouri Veterans Commission. He was placed on administrative leave at the end of July. According to Missouri Veterans Commission public information officer Daniel Bell, Kay returned on August 9th. His leave occurred shortly after a Cole County jury ruled that Kay must pay $2.9 million in damages to former employee, Pat Rowe Kerr, who accused him of sexual discrimination and harassment.
State Senator Scott Sifton (D-Affton), who serves on the Missouri Veterans Commission, called for Kay’s resignation following the court’s July decision.
Missourinet’s inquiry into the commission’s decision on the length of Kay’s leave has not been returned. Responses were sought from Sifton, commission member and State Senator Dan Brown (R-Rolla), State Senator Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City) and former Navy Seal and governor-elect Eric Greitens (R) have not been returned.
The commission is charged with managing Missouri’s Veterans Homes and cemeteries and other veteran issues. Kay, who oversees 1,750 workers and an annual budget of $125 million, has been executive director since August 2008.
