Hines VA Supervisor Arrested In Harassment Inquiry: Police

PROVISO TOWNSHIP, IL — A supervisor at Hines VA Hospital was arrested last week in connection with the battery of four of his female employees, authorities said Tuesday.

Edward Howard, 67, of Country Club Hills, was charged with four counts of misdemeanor battery. He was released after posting 10 percent of his $4,000 bond, according to a Cook County Sheriff's Office news release.

In early February, the hospital asked the sheriff's office to conduct an investigation after a female employee filed a complaint with human resources alleging abuse by her supervisor, Howard, who is chief of central supplies, the release said.

Over the next several weeks, detectives identified three more women who said Howard touched them on their breasts, buttocks or vagina and subjected them to comments of a sexual nature, according to the sheriff's office.

The incidents occurred between November 2010 and January 2021, the news release said. Three of the women told investigators they did not report the incidents because they feared retaliation from Howard, the sheriff's office said.

The agency said it is conducting an ongoing investigation.