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CARSON CITY – Tony Clark, the executive director of the state Board of Medical Examiners, says Gov. Jim Gibbons’ request for his resignation is a case of political payback.
Gibbons has asked for the resignation of Clark and three members of the board in connection with the growing controversy over licensing of medical businesses.
The three members of the board have reported ties with Dr. Dipak Desai, owner of the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, where unsanitary health practices led to infection of six people with Hepatitis C.
Clark said he has no association with Desai and had nothing to do with the licensing of the clinic.
“This is just payback,’’ said Clark, former adjutant general of the Nevada National Guard.
He said he replaced Gibbons as vice commander of the National Air Guard after Wing Commander Chuck Chinnock complained that Gibbons was not doing the job as vice commander.
Chinnock said Monday he was following the recommendation of the previous commander, Woody Clark of the 152nd Tactical Recognizance Wing, who suggested that Gibbons, a colonel in the Air Guard, be retired.
The recommendation had “nothing to do with his performance,” Chinnock said. But Gibbons had 20 years in the guard and it was time to let other officers move up the ladder, he added.
Clark said he agreed with Chinnock but knew there likely would be political repercussions.
“I know how the game is played and what goes around comes around. This was his (Gibbons’ opportunity to get rid of me,” said Clark, who had announced last year he would retire this September after 23 years of service.
Daniel Burns, Gibbons’ acting press secretary, said he was part of the all-day discussions Sunday about what actions to take and the issue of the National Air Guard never came up.
Of Clark’s statements, Burns said, “I find them hard to believe.”
Clark said he doesn’t work for the governor. He said he works for the board and will do whatever it wants.
Burns said the board failed to take quick and decisive action when the health crisis was revealed.
Gibbons intends to replace board members Dr. Javaid Anwar, who is board president; Dr. S. Daniel McBride and Dr. Sohail U. Anjum, board vice president.
“What we have here is a public health care crisis and what we need is public health care confidence,” Gibbons said in a statement. “That is why I am taking decisive action to restore public trust.”
Clark said a three-member investigating committee will look at the evidence involving Desai. The panel, composed of Northern Nevada members, will make a recommendation and the remaining six members will make a final decision.
Gibbons also asked Mike Willden, director of the state Department of Health and Human Services, to fire Lisa Jones, head of the Bureau of Licensing and Certification.
Steve George, Willden's spokesman, said he was in Washington D.C., Monday. When he returns Tuesday, Willden will follow Gibbons' direction, George said.
George said Jones, a 29-year state employee, has been head of the bureau for five months and was on a probationary status. He said she could revert to her old job, fill another open position or retire.
I saw Tony Clark on TV. While I am not a fan of Governor Gibbons, I though Tony Clark looked and sounded cheap, sleazy and petty. He obviously has no political common sense. I can understand why Governor Gibbons does not want him around.
If Clark had half a brain, he would have kept a low profile and immediately resigned. Instead, he will be remembered around the state as the man who pandered to the dirt bag doctors, and then made a cheap attack on the governor, when asked to resign.
Tony Clark may have been an officer, but he is not a gentleman.
I hope Ms. Jones sticks around and makes Jimbos life miserable. Drop the dirt Ms. Jones and hopefully the real culprit Gibbons will resign.
The hypocrisy by State government officials is amazing. I recall recent stories in the media about the Administrator of the Nevada State Health Division being criticized for conflict of interest because he regulates his own private health care business. The story focused on Mr. Haartz' conflict of interest as owner of a private business licensed by the Health Division Bureau of Licensure and Certification to provide health care referral and case management. His conflict was that he serves as the Administrator of the agency that licenses and regulates his own business. He controled his competitors and served his own interest. Eventually after complaints he was investigated, sanctioned, and forced to comply with the law. The previous Governor appointed him in his position. The Attorney General supported him in his personal gains. Legislators did nothing. These are the government structures under which the public is served and protected?