August 20, 2009
VA Inspector General Report Reveals Violations of Ethics and Public Trust;Findings Include Nepotism, Abuse of Authority, and Violation of Federal Acquisition Rules
For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence, 202-225-3527
The VA Office of Inspector General report released two reports yesterday concluding that VA employees serving in VA’s Office of Information and Technology engaged in improper hiring practices and improper distribution of benefits to employees in the form of salaries, bonuses, and educational benefits.
Other IG conclusions resulting from the investigation that began in February 2009 included employee misuse of position for personal gain and failure to provide proper administration of contract awards.
“It is deeply disappointing that any governmental official would abuse authority entrusted to them by the public,” Buyer said. “But it is especially disturbing when abuse of authority occurs at the agency responsible for the care and well being of our nation’s veterans.”
“I expect that swift, appropriate administrative action will be taken against the employees allegedly involved in these incidents. A lack of personal integrity and violation of the public’s trust cannot be tolerated in federal service.”
“VA must appoint honorable individuals to these critical positions so that it can continue to transform and consolidate VA’s disparate IT systems. Doing so is vital to ensuring personal information security, patient safety, and expeditious delivery of benefits to our veterans.”
The IG reports can be found at the following links:
http://www.va.gov/oig/51/fy2009rpts/VAOIG-09-01123-196.pdf
http://www.va.gov/oig/51/fy2009rpts/VAOIG-09-01123-195.pdf