VA Debacle - The Firearms Forum

4EvrLearning · 08-21-2009, 05:24 PM

Heads need to roll....and I mean that figuratively, not literally!!

As vets await checks, VA workers get $24M bonuses

By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer
Kimberly Hefling, Associated Press Writer
Fri Aug 21, 12:07 pm ET

WASHINGTON – Outside the Veterans Affairs Department, severely wounded veterans have faced financial hardship waiting for their first disability payment. Inside, money has been flowing in the form of $24 million in bonuses.

In scathing reports this week, the VA's inspector general said thousands of technology office employees at the VA received the bonuses over a two-year period, some under questionable circumstances. It also detailed abuses ranging from nepotism to an inappropriate relationship between two VA employees.

The inspector general accused one recently retired VA official of acting "as if she was given a blank checkbook" as awards and bonuses were distributed to employees of the Office of Information and Technology in 2007 and 2008. In some cases the justification for the bonuses was inadequate or questionable, the IG said.

The official, Jennifer S. Duncan, also engaged in nepotism and got $60,000 in bonuses herself, the IG said. In addition, managers improperly authorized college tuition payments for VA employees, some of whom were Duncan's family members and friends. That cost taxpayers nearly $140,000.

Separately, a technology office employee became involved in an "inappropriate personal relationship" with a high-level VA official. The technology office employee flew 22 times from Florida to Washington, where the VA official lived. That travel cost $37,000.

The details on the alleged improprieties were in two IG reports issued this week. VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts said the agency was extremely concerned about the IG's findings and would pursue a thorough review.
"VA does not condone misconduct by its employees and will take the appropriate correction action for those who violate VA policy," Roberts said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

On Friday, Joe Davis, a spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said if the allegations are found to be true, individuals involved should lose their jobs, and legal action should be taken.

"America's veterans served their nation honorably and with no expectations of reward," Davis said in an e-mail. "It should not be too much to ask for that same level of commitment from government employees, too."

And Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the top Republican on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said Congress should investigate.

The number of claims the VA needs to process has escalated, and the Information and Technology Office has a critical role in improving the technological infrastructure to handle the increase. President Barack Obama has said creating a seamless transition for records between the Pentagon and the VA could help eliminate a backlog that has left some veterans waiting months for a disability check.

Much of the IG's focus was on Duncan, the former executive assistant to the ex-assistant secretary for information and technology, Robert Howard.
In one situation, a part-time intern with connections to Duncan was allowed to convert to a full-time paid position even though the individual was working a part-time schedule 500 miles away at college, the IG said.

"We have never known of any other new VA employee provided such favorable treatment," the IG said.

The individual's name and relationship to Duncan was blacked out, as were many other names in the reports.

Investigators recommended that the employees who received the college money pay it back. The largest amount awarded was $33,000.

In addition to Duncan, three other high-level employees received $73,000, $58,000 and $59,000 in bonuses in 2007 and 2008, the IG said. In 2007 alone, 4,700 employees were awarded bonuses, on average $2,500 each.

Some employees were given cash awards for services that were supposedly provided before the employees started working at VA, the IG said.

A man who answered the phone at Duncan's residence in Rehoboth Beach, Del., said she was not available, and he said not to call back.

The IG also found that Katherine Adair Martinez, deputy assistant secretary for information protection and risk management in the Office of Information and Technology, misused her position, abused her authority and engaged in prohibited personnel practices when she influenced a VA contractor and later VA subordinates to employ a friend.

The IG also said Martinez "took advantage of an inappropriate personal relationship" with Howard to transfer her job to Florida. In the nine months after she moved, the IG said Martinez traveled to Washington 22 times "to accomplish tasks that she could easily do from Florida."

The relationship between Martinez and Howard started in April 2007 and continued several months after Howard left the VA in January of this year, the IG said.

Roberts' e-mail did not address a request from the AP to speak with Martinez. Howard could not be immediately located for comment.

Indiana Rep. Steve Buyer, top Republican on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, urged quick action to fix the problems. "VA must appoint honorable individuals to these critical positions," he said.

The VA has faced criticism before in its awarding of bonuses. In 2007, the AP reported that the then-VA secretary had approved a generous package of more than $3.8 million in bonus payments in 2006, citing a need to retain longtime VA executives.
___

Rocket J Squirl · 08-21-2009, 09:08 PM

Remember VA medical and Medicare are the flagships Obamacare is based on.

I heard he say so

Kieran McCaig · 08-21-2009, 09:28 PM

I don't what to sound rude or insincere but to all of the Vets on this forum "is this what you were fight for"it reminds me of the movie Article 99 about the VA hospital.
And believe me when I say Thank You or to some Semper Fi

glocknut · 08-21-2009, 10:01 PM

Surely Gods judgement will arrive at our nations doorstep soon...?

mike
g
n

marcodelat · 08-21-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieran McCaig

Thank You or to some Semper Fi

Well, other than that big scare I had a few months ago regarding my colonoscopy and Hep C (finally tested exposed / positive but OK... apparently, my body was able to "handle it") VAMC and VA... and God - in my case as a disabled Vet - have always really been good to me... heard (and seen) a lot of horror stories though.

- Semper Fidelis!

glocknut · 08-21-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcodelat

Well, other than that big scare I had a few months ago regarding my colonoscopy and Hep C (finally tested exposed / positive but OK... apparently, my body was able to "handle it") VAMC and VA... and God - in my case as a disabled Vet - have always really been good to me... heard (and seen) a lot of horror stories though.

- Semper Fidelis!

What?

mike
ghb

marcodelat · 08-21-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glocknut

What?

mike
ghb

This: http://cnettv.cnet.com/deadly-va-col...-50073215.html

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/...ies/index.html

I had two colonoscopies during this time frame... and got "my letter" last March... and went for blood tests that came back positive - further testing showed "no active viral infection" - so (they say) I'm OK...

4EvrLearning · 08-22-2009, 12:31 AM

wow, marcodelat... glad for your good news...

what a way to run a business.....

artabr · 08-22-2009, 12:39 AM

I think I heard about this on Rushs or Becks show this morning.
Outrageous.

Art

358 winchester · 08-22-2009, 07:12 AM

Folks this just the tip of the ICEBERG our elected officals are put millons of dollars in their pockets and we are only hearing about 2 or 3 % of what is going on in Washington! We need to put the control of this country back into the hands of WE THE PEOPLE

carver · 08-22-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 358 winchester

Folks this just the tip of the ICEBERG our elected officals are put millons of dollars in their pockets and we are only hearing about 2 or 3 % of what is going on in Washington! We need to put the control of this country back into the hands of WE THE PEOPLE

+ 100! Personally, I have received good treatment at the VA in Shreveport, LA, maybe not the best, but good. This is just the tip of the ICEBERG! We had an educational meeting for the SB Tea Party Thusday night, on the pannel were two, of three, doctors, that have experience in Socialized Med. One was a local doctor that moved here from Canada, and the other was a local doctor that has spent some of his vacations in England, and has tured some of their Hospitals, and Med. Facilities. You would have to here some the stories these guys told! How bad can this get? Well imagine what would happen if the Fed. Govn. took over air travel in the U.S. The bought all the planes, and all the air ports, and then told the public that from this day forward air travel would be free! Can't you just see the lines of people that want their free plane rides?

Tom Militano · 08-22-2009, 09:25 AM

The VA hospital in Birmingham, AL is a joke. They could run off all the clowns running the place and be just as effective. Most of the doctors are residents and interns from the UAB hospital across the street. We're just training aids for them.

mike howerton · 07-24-2010, 07:41 PM

here here

199er · 07-24-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

I had two colonoscopies during this time frame... and got "my letter" last March... and went for blood tests that came back positive - further testing showed "no active viral infection" - so (they say) I'm OK...

Glad to hear your positive Hep 'C' virus is inactive. I'm a twice wounded vet and received blood products both times so the VA considered me "at risk vet for Hep "C" and they have been testing for it once yearly since 2001. In June of last year my test came back positive for the virus (as did the follow up confirmation test) but thank god it was dormant (no active symptoms). I'm now rated 0% by the VA for Hep "C" (based on my subjective complaints of lack of endurance & fatigue).......... and that 0% rating is perfectly fine with me. I now have a Hep "C" screening every six months to see if I have any active symptoms. So far so good, none.

You should be screened every six months too and if you aren't, get a hold of your Primary Care doctor and ask for a consult to have a semi-annual Hep "C" screen for active symptoms. Your Primary Care doctor DOES NOT have the medical credentials conduct this screening/testing so if he/she "drags their feet" or attempts to put you off, get a copy of your initial test that indicates you're positive at your hospital/clinic "Release of Records Section" and then go to patient representative and file an official complaint.

A couple of recommendations: If you have difficulty trying to get the screening consult don't get in a "pissing contest" with any VA staff, stay calm and under control while you are making your case otherwise the VA could determine you to be a "problem patient" and cause you more problems. Secondly, if they say they can't schedule a consult on a six month basis because they are are over worked and under staffed............tell them you are sorry they're in that situation, but remind them you're a vet too and because they're under staffed and over worked doesn't give them license "cut corners/save money" by not being responsive to your medical needs because it is not an emergency. Also remind them you have tested postive for the virus and you're deeply concerned about it and want to monitor it closely plus tell them it would be OK with you if they would authorize (and pay for) a civilian referral to conduct the screening.

Good luck.

bmpeele · 07-24-2010, 11:45 PM

This article is either dated wrong or an old one, it's dated Aug 21 and we're not even out if July yet.

wyoredot · 07-25-2010, 09:30 AM

8-21-09 I saw...

08-21-2009, 05:24 PM	#1
4EvrLearning Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Left Coast Posts: 1,449	VA Debacle Heads need to roll....and I mean that figuratively, not literally!! As vets await checks, VA workers get $24M bonuses By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer Kimberly Hefling, Associated Press Writer Fri Aug 21, 12:07 pm ET WASHINGTON – Outside the Veterans Affairs Department, severely wounded veterans have faced financial hardship waiting for their first disability payment. Inside, money has been flowing in the form of $24 million in bonuses. In scathing reports this week, the VA's inspector general said thousands of technology office employees at the VA received the bonuses over a two-year period, some under questionable circumstances. It also detailed abuses ranging from nepotism to an inappropriate relationship between two VA employees. The inspector general accused one recently retired VA official of acting "as if she was given a blank checkbook" as awards and bonuses were distributed to employees of the Office of Information and Technology in 2007 and 2008. In some cases the justification for the bonuses was inadequate or questionable, the IG said. The official, Jennifer S. Duncan, also engaged in nepotism and got $60,000 in bonuses herself, the IG said. In addition, managers improperly authorized college tuition payments for VA employees, some of whom were Duncan's family members and friends. That cost taxpayers nearly $140,000. Separately, a technology office employee became involved in an "inappropriate personal relationship" with a high-level VA official. The technology office employee flew 22 times from Florida to Washington, where the VA official lived. That travel cost $37,000. The details on the alleged improprieties were in two IG reports issued this week. VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts said the agency was extremely concerned about the IG's findings and would pursue a thorough review. "VA does not condone misconduct by its employees and will take the appropriate correction action for those who violate VA policy," Roberts said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. On Friday, Joe Davis, a spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said if the allegations are found to be true, individuals involved should lose their jobs, and legal action should be taken. "America's veterans served their nation honorably and with no expectations of reward," Davis said in an e-mail. "It should not be too much to ask for that same level of commitment from government employees, too." And Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the top Republican on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said Congress should investigate. The number of claims the VA needs to process has escalated, and the Information and Technology Office has a critical role in improving the technological infrastructure to handle the increase. President Barack Obama has said creating a seamless transition for records between the Pentagon and the VA could help eliminate a backlog that has left some veterans waiting months for a disability check. Much of the IG's focus was on Duncan, the former executive assistant to the ex-assistant secretary for information and technology, Robert Howard. In one situation, a part-time intern with connections to Duncan was allowed to convert to a full-time paid position even though the individual was working a part-time schedule 500 miles away at college, the IG said. "We have never known of any other new VA employee provided such favorable treatment," the IG said. The individual's name and relationship to Duncan was blacked out, as were many other names in the reports. Investigators recommended that the employees who received the college money pay it back. The largest amount awarded was $33,000. In addition to Duncan, three other high-level employees received $73,000, $58,000 and $59,000 in bonuses in 2007 and 2008, the IG said. In 2007 alone, 4,700 employees were awarded bonuses, on average $2,500 each. Some employees were given cash awards for services that were supposedly provided before the employees started working at VA, the IG said. A man who answered the phone at Duncan's residence in Rehoboth Beach, Del., said she was not available, and he said not to call back. The IG also found that Katherine Adair Martinez, deputy assistant secretary for information protection and risk management in the Office of Information and Technology, misused her position, abused her authority and engaged in prohibited personnel practices when she influenced a VA contractor and later VA subordinates to employ a friend. The IG also said Martinez "took advantage of an inappropriate personal relationship" with Howard to transfer her job to Florida. In the nine months after she moved, the IG said Martinez traveled to Washington 22 times "to accomplish tasks that she could easily do from Florida." The relationship between Martinez and Howard started in April 2007 and continued several months after Howard left the VA in January of this year, the IG said. Roberts' e-mail did not address a request from the AP to speak with Martinez. Howard could not be immediately located for comment. Indiana Rep. Steve Buyer, top Republican on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, urged quick action to fix the problems. "VA must appoint honorable individuals to these critical positions," he said. The VA has faced criticism before in its awarding of bonuses. In 2007, the AP reported that the then-VA secretary had approved a generous package of more than $3.8 million in bonus payments in 2006, citing a need to retain longtime VA executives. ___ __________________ *"Until God is finished with me, I am immortal." Jonathan Edwards, American Theologian (1703-1758)* --> Last edited by 4EvrLearning; 08-21-2009 at 05:30 PM..

08-21-2009, 09:08 PM	#2
Rocket J Squirl Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 418	Re: VA Debacle Remember VA medical and Medicare are the flagships Obamacare is based on. I heard he say so

08-21-2009, 09:28 PM	#3
Kieran McCaig Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: canada Posts: 1,469	Re: VA Debacle I don't what to sound rude or insincere but to all of the Vets on this forum "is this what you were fight for"it reminds me of the movie Article 99 about the VA hospital. And believe me when I say Thank You or to some Semper Fi

08-21-2009, 10:01 PM	#4
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Re: VA Debacle Surely Gods judgement will arrive at our nations doorstep soon...? mike g n __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone....

08-22-2009, 12:31 AM	#8
4EvrLearning Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Left Coast Posts: 1,449	Re: VA Debacle wow, marcodelat... glad for your good news... what a way to run a business..... __________________ *"Until God is finished with me, I am immortal." Jonathan Edwards, American Theologian (1703-1758)*

08-22-2009, 12:39 AM	#9
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: VA Debacle I think I heard about this on Rushs or Becks show this morning. Outrageous. Art __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!!

08-22-2009, 07:12 AM	#10
358 winchester TFF Admin Staff Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pensacola Fl. area Posts: 7,335	Re: VA Debacle Folks this just the tip of the ICEBERG our elected officals are put millons of dollars in their pockets and we are only hearing about 2 or 3 % of what is going on in Washington! We need to put the control of this country back into the hands of WE THE PEOPLE __________________ Administrator & Owner RangeDay.com Proud, White, Heterosexual, Gun Owning, Southern American, Christian. Any question about where I stand?

08-22-2009, 09:25 AM	#12
Tom Militano Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jacksonville, AL Posts: 1,255	Re: VA Debacle The VA hospital in Birmingham, AL is a joke. They could run off all the clowns running the place and be just as effective. Most of the doctors are residents and interns from the UAB hospital across the street. We're just training aids for them.

07-24-2010, 07:41 PM	#13
mike howerton Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 7	Re: VA Debacle here here

07-24-2010, 11:45 PM	#15
bmpeele V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: The grand old state of North Carolina Posts: 492	Re: VA Debacle This article is either dated wrong or an old one, it's dated Aug 21 and we're not even out if July yet. __________________ It's not the size, it's the placement of the bullet.