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Victim: Alleged VA abuser is retired major

Posted at 9:19 PM, May 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-03 23:30:21-04

Retired National Guardsman Randall Musick quit going to the Leavenworth VA after what he described as uncomfortable experiences with former Physician Assistant Mark Wisner.

“I think it was the point where he unbuttoned my pants and I was like, what's going on," Musick said. "He had to look below and the smirk on his face when I turned around, just didn't quite seem right."

These experiences were especially difficult for Musick. He served with Wisner in the National Guard.

"It's nerve-wracking and uneasy because I did know him in the Guard. He knew my dad in the Guard. So that's what is just as unruly is he knew so many people that came up there to see him," Musick said.

Like dozens of other vets, he trusted him.

RELATED | US Army veteran speaks about Leavenworth VA Hospital abuse allegations

"He had me on 18 different medications for various things,” Musick said.

Musick never filed a complaint with the VA, but he informed them of what happened after receiving this letter. The VA asked if Wisner ever performed a genital exam, how many times and if it was necessary to his treatment.

"I just left and didn't look back, I had no plan on going back, I really did not, but with the VA, to keep your disability, you have to go back once a year,” Musick said.

He's speaking out now because he wants awareness and justice. He believes the VA and the Guard turned a blind eye.

"I think he should be stripped of everything. Shouldn't be allowed any benefits," Musick said of Wisner. “This can't go on any further because he's out walking the streets right now."

The VA said in a statement that when it found out about Mark Wisner's actions that leaders took swift action, including offering a hotline for former patients.

The Leavenworth VA Hospital sent 41 Action News the following statement: 

“Upon accusations of inappropriate activity being brought to the attention of executive leadership, this former employee was immediately removed from patient care and an investigation was swiftly initiated.  Before the investigation was complete, Mr. Wisner left the VA and also surrendered his medical license to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts.  Following the full investigation, criminal charges were officially filed against former employee, Mr. Wisner.   Our facility, in coordination with the Office of Inspector General (OIG), launched a notification campaign sending letters, with a dedicated hotline number, to Veteran patients formally under Mr. Wisner’s care. This process was established to ensure open communication with Veteran patients and their family members, to answer their questions, and to offer clinical and administrative support and resources from our VA Medical Center. 

Following patient complaints, possible actions may include removing employees from patient care settings. While we cannot publicly discuss pending cases, we take very seriously the safety and well-being of every single Veteran patient.  Due to the on-going legal status of this case, we must direct further inquiries to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Public Relations office in Washington D.C. at (202) 616-2777. 

We continue to be committed to delivering the highest quality care to each and every Veteran who walks through the doors at our VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System.”

Leavenworth County District Attorney Todd Thompson sent 41 Action News the following statement: 

"Currently we have Mark Wisner charged with aggravated criminal sodomy, accused of engaging in anal copulation while the victim was unconscious or powerless.  We also have him charged with three counts of sexual battery, or the touching of a person over the age of 16 with the intent to arouse or satisfy sexual desires of the defendant or another.   These are criminal proceedings through the State of Kansas.  We are aware that there are Federal civil proceedings, but these two courts are separate and distinct.   We are in the job to pursue justice, and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty.   We would ask anyone who feels to be a victim of a crime to please reach out to their local law enforcement."

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Lexi Sutter can be reached at lexi.sutter@kshb.com.

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