Harold L. OSBORNE, Appellant, v. Max CLELAND, Appellee

LAY, Circuit Judge.

Harold L. Osborne was hired by the Veterans Administration Hospital in North Lit-tie Rock, Arkansas as a nursing assistant in May 1973. 1 The appointment affidavit or “Declaration of Appointee” he was required to complete upon his hiring included the following question: “Since the date you signed your qualifications statement (or application) for this employment, have you been convicted of a offense against the law or forfeited collateral, . . .?” 2 Osborne answered “no.” On April 10, 1974, Osborne was informed he was being terminated because hospital authorities had…