Latest news with #Cholewa
American Military News
11-05-2025
- American Military News
Judge maintains Macomb veteran's claim of sexual pursuit against VA psychiatrist
A federal judge has determined a military veteran's lawsuit can proceed against both the U.S. government and a federal psychiatrist on the accusations the she engaged in an improper romantic and sexual relationship with the veteran. U.S. District Judge Gershwin Drain ruled last week that Veterans Administration psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Robinson can be sued personally by Marine veteran Trey Cholewa on his claims she initiated an intimate relationship with him while Cholewa was being treated in 2017 for brain injury and PTSD from his combat action in the Middle East. Also, the federal government can be sued for alleged non-sexual misconduct related to the alleged abuse, according to the ruling. The ruling in a 37-page opinion was in response to Robinson seeking full government immunity. The lawsuit was filed in 2019. It means Robinson cannot be protected by immunity because the alleged sexual and romantic instances occurred outside the scope of her employment, and that the government can remain a defendant because she allegedly took related actions that were within her scope of employment. A spokesperson for Ven Johnson Law, which is representing Cholewa, in an email to The Macomb Daily calls the ruling a 'major win for Cholewa and for veterans nationwide who've faced abuse from those entrusted with their care.' 'It also is a major step forward in the fight against blanket governmental immunity, because it means that those in positions of authority will be held accountable for their actions, regardless of title or employer,' says the spokesperson for the Detroit-based firm. In his ruling, Drain determined 'as a matter of fact' that Robinson engaged in romantic and sexual acts with Cholewa despite some inconsistencies in his statements. 'Regardless of the inconsistencies, the Court concludes that Plaintiff's testimony is credible in part and not credible in part,' the judge wrote. 'Plaintiff has changed the details of the sexual contact in several ways throughout the litigation, and there are reasons to question Plaintiff's memory and reliability. … Plaintiff struggled to remember the dates that sexual contact did or did not occur.' However, he notes a key piece and only direct evidence in the case is an audio recording Cholewa made during one of his many visits to Robinson at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit during which Robinson does not refute Chelow's references to prior sexual contact. 'Certain allegations by Plaintiff have remained consistent throughout the litigation,' the judge goes on to say. 'Plaintiff has proven his testimony to be reliable in part, because the audio recording supports his allegations that Dr. Robinson professed her romantic feelings for him, and at the very least kissed and massaged him. Moreover, Plaintiff's general allegation that sexual touching occurred at some point is supported by the audio recording and other circumstantial evidence.' Also in Cholewa's favor is that Robinson declined to give sworn testimony by invoking her Fifth Amendment due to potential self-incrimination, according to the opinion. Cholewa's trio of claims against Dr. Robinson include medical malpractice, ordinary negligence and medical battery. The judge says the government can be held responsible for numerous allegations over the claim that 'Robinson's failure to do certain non-romantic and non-sexual acts that were a necessary part of her job as a psychiatrist.' Robinson may have failed to: * 'refrain from exploiting the power differential she enjoyed over Plaintiff by virtue of his reliance on her stated goal of assisting him; * discontinue the professional and therapeutic physician-patient relationship immediately upon feeling the impulse to act upon her feelings of emotional connection, physical attraction, or both; * refer Plaintiff to an alternative psychiatrist immediately upon her feeling the impulse to act upon her feelings of emotional connection, physical attraction, or both.' Cholewa says the encounters contributed to his divorce from his wife, though they reconciled. Robinson began treating Cholewa in October 2015 at the VA in Detroit after he was medically discharged due to PTSD and chronic pain. He alleges Robinson initiated sexual activities with him in March 2017, following months of progressively provocative remarks. Cholewa says there were 10 to 20 encounters over five months ending in August 2017, although he reduced the number of incidents and time frame in another statement, according to the opinion. Cholewa stopped treatment and in June 2018 began treatment with another psychologist, to whom he revealed the encounters with Robinson, according to the lawsuit. Cholewa served five deployments in the Middle East, three of which he served in active combat and suffered a head injury. In 2015, Cholewa was medically discharged with a 100% disability rating for both physical and mental trauma, and returned home to his wife and children in Macomb County. In January 2024, Drain denied the government and Robinson's attempt to dismiss the case. No new court dates have been scheduled, according to online records. ___ © 2025 The Macomb Daily Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Chicago Tribune
26-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Buffalo Grove's Senior Expo ‘a very worthwhile program' draws banner attendance
Between 150 to 250 people attended the free annual Senior Expo on April 22 at the Community Arts Center (225 McHenry Road) in Buffalo Grove. Nearly 60 vendors and community representatives offered giveaways and learning opportunities in several rooms. The Senior Expo was expanded into atrium space this year to accommodate increased demand. Patron Donna Mattis of Buffalo Grove noted the Senior Expo gets, 'bigger every year. 'It's nice to come, we see our friends, we get information,' Mattis added. Free sandwich lunches and raffles were provided at the three-hour event coordinated by the Buffalo Grove Park District and the Village of Buffalo Grove. 'We're happy to be able to put this on for the communities of Buffalo Grove and the surrounding communities here in both Cook and Lake County,' said Derek Hoffman, recreation supervisor for the Buffalo Grove Park District, who organized the Senior Expo for Hoffman's first time. Mike Terson, the park district's superintendent of communications and marketing, said, 'This event has been a community favorite for over 20 years. 'It gives the senior citizens in our area an opportunity to meet with representatives from different industries and businesses, as well as government agencies that cater to people in their age group,' Terson said. Buffalo Grove Police had a community presence near informational tables featuring libraries from Cook and Lake counties. 'I like doing this event, seeing a lot of familiar faces,' said Amy Cholewa, of the Buffalo Grove Police Community Relations Unit, and crime prevention officer. 'We do a lot of safety presentations for the seniors at different events throughout the year so a lot of these faces are very familiar to us,' Cholewa said. 'It's good to catch up with them on a personal level and then it's also good to be here, providing resources to them,' Cholewa added. Gayle Mayo of Wheeling stopped by the Indian Trails Public Library District of Wheeling table, where Liz Poppenhouse, the library's digital and maker services manager, and Abida Salahuddin, the library's senior coordinator, interacted with attendees. 'I just come, it's a social event to be with people and to learn new things, find out the resources in the community,' Mayo said. Poppenhouse said the Wheeling library has a maker space called The Launch Pad. Lake County library cardholders often use this library. 'We offer lots of programs for all ages and we actually do get a lot of seniors in our classes,' Poppenhouse said. 'Some of our classes are more technologically related.' Laser engravers use software and the library's three-dimensional printer makes items such as small figures or movable, jointed toys. To seniors, Poppenhouse said, 'You are welcome at the library and … we can help you. 'If you're feeling anxious or nervous about trying new stuff with technology, we are there to help you get started with that and feel more comfortable.' Salahuddin's role at the Wheeling library is assisting senior patrons who use electronic tablets and cell phones to communicate, 'but 99% of seniors, they want to have a physical book in their hands. 'They don't want to read on the iPad or on a smart device,' Salahuddin added. Audrey Friedland, nurse advocate with Right at Home of Lincolnshire, also identified what many seniors prefer. 'It's very important with the changing of healthcare, that people remain at home, age at home, and we're there to help them age at home safely and comfortably,' Friedland said. Attendee David Halperin of Vernon Hills had a career in finance and gave advice to young people as future seniors. 'Save and invest for the future because you'll need it,' Halperin said, adding, 'Be very careful with the scams…seniors are being attacked by these people. 'I get the scams all the time, both internet and on the phone,' Halperin said. 'You must be careful because they want your money.' Bruce and Li-Chun Moy of Lincolnshire visited the resource table of Illinois State Senator Adriane Johnson of Buffalo Grove. Li-Chun Moy attended, 'so we can get some information that we may not be aware of.' As an elected official, Johnson said, 'I think it's important to be here to talk to our seniors so they know, first of all, that we care and number two, that we're listening to any of their concerns, and number three, that we're amplifying resources that they can use to help them thrive and help them with their daily lives. 'We take pride in that,' Johnson said, adding that a senior advisory council is part of outreach. 'We're very concerned about issues that impact seniors. 'We do our best to make sure that we are in the community, providing resources for our seniors,' Johnson added. Attendee Sydelle Richard of Buffalo Grove complimented Senior Expo organizers. 'I think this is a very worthwhile program to have for us seniors and I think it was organized very well,' Richard said. 'I'm glad to be here.'
