County Hospital Chief Told He’ll Be Fired
Walter Gray, the Los Angeles County director of hospitals who allegedly faked his academic credentials, has been given official notice that he is being fired, according to top county officials.
The officials and Gray’s lawyer confirmed Thursday that Gray has been sent what is known as a “Skelly letter” in recent days, disclosing the county’s intention to dismiss him.
The official notice was sent just days after The Times reported that Gray had stated on resumes and job applications that he had an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree.
Gray could not be reached for comment, but his lawyer, Diane Marchant, said the embattled assistant health services director intends to fight the dismissal through the county Civil Service Commission.
“There are always two issues in a Civil Service case: Are the allegations in the [Skelly] letter true? And is the discipline appropriate?” Marchant said.
According to county regulations, Gray has 10 days to present his case to a county hearing officer before he can be formally fired and the Civil Service proceedings can begin, county officials said.
On his resume, Gray states that he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska in 1968 and a master’s degree in business administration from USC in 1972. Officials at both schools told county investigators and The Times that no Walter Gray received a degree there.
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