More bad news for the VA, although at the moment it's not clear if it's another systemic issue, as some argue, or just a bad apple. One of its nurses stands accused of taking part in surgery at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center while under the influence of alcohol.

Investigators charge in their affidavit that a physician's assistant noticed that Nurse Richard J. Pieri was “definitely not himself” during his shift, according to The Times Leader. He's charged officially with reckless endangerment, driving under the influence and public drunkenness in court documents.

Concerned Veterans for America's John Cooper told the Daily Mail that, "We hope the VA takes this situation seriously and finally demonstrates a commitment to accountability," that "the persistent lack of accountability at the VA is enabling this inexcusable behavior."

The group's spokesman also stated that "veterans have the right to expect only the highest quality of care, but the VA’s refusal to hold employees accountable, even when they engage in clear misconduct, has made a mockery of that expectation."

Cops got a Feb. 11 report of the Feb. 4 incident from the nurse executive of the VA center. The VA exec said that on that day, "Pieri smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech," according to the Morning Call.

As soon as "we were notified of the event," VA Medical Center executive assistant to director William Klaip told WNEP, stating that, "Patient safety is paramount. We want to be sure our patients are safe... we made sure there were no unsafe situations for our patients and then we did the further investigations."

Pieri told authorities that on Feb. 4 he had forgotten he was on call and around 5 p.m. downed as many as five beers while at the Mohegan Sun Pocono casino slots, the Leader noted, adding that even though he knew better than being in surgery when intoxicated, he went in anyway when, at about 10:30 p.m., his pager alerted him.

Since 1979 the registered nurse hasn't been subjected to disciplinary action, the Pennsylvania Department of State noted to the paper. Now, a VA spokesperson told the station the nurse has been pulled off direct care for patients during the criminal investigation of the case.

Police also released video surveillance that allegedly shows Pieri leaving his truck and stumbling as he walked into work. Court documents also claim that Pieri allegedly told cops their interest, "has something to do with me being drunk on call.” Pieri was confirmed to have been at the casino using his player's card by members of its staff. But any receipts or footage were no longer available due to the time that had elapsed since the incident, cops told the Morning Call.

While the VA has had its share of scandals, one local veteran who has used the center says it's more a case of one bad apple. Stanley Bilwin, who has been a patient at the center, blamed the nurse, not the institution.

"I get really good care up there," Stanley Bilwin told the news station. "The doctors... everybody up there is usually great, real good. They cured cancer, I got a hernia done, a lot of stuff."

The patient, who has not been identified, had to go back into the hospital for stomach pains, according to the complaint.

A preliminary hearing in the case is now set for March 29.

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