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Patient sues Bay Pines VA over treatment

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2009

TAMPA - Brian Delahanty says he went to Bay Pines VA Medical Center for help with his bipolar disorder, depression and alcohol abuse.

But as part of his treatment, he says, he was given illegal drugs and alcohol and had a sexual relationship with his counselor in the hospital's substance abuse treatment program.

Delahanty is suing Bay Pines and the federal government, saying officials at the Pinellas County hospital failed to monitor counselor Cheryl A. Jimenez, who didn't have the proper credentials to treat patients.

Delahanty's attorney, Mark V. Morsch of Winter Park, and Bay Pines officials could not be reached for comment.

Delahanty was treated at the hospital from October 2006 through January 2007, according to his lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court.

The lawsuit contends Jimenez mishandled the "transference phenomenon," in which a patient projects his feelings about something else onto his counselor, and encouraged Delahanty to live with her.

Although the improper treatment was widely known to Department of Veterans Affairs employees, nothing was done until another employee made an official report, the lawsuit states.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837.

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