VA secretary interceded in IG report
We called BS on the media’s reportage in regards to the Veterans’ Affairs Office of the Inspector General’s investigation into the charge that veterans had died awaiting care in Phoenix. It turns out that the interim secretary of the Department, Sloan Gibson, asked the VAOIG to “soften” their report according to the Army Times;
According to newly released documents, the report was amended to add a finding that there was no conclusive evidence that delays in care resulted in veteran deaths.
In recent congressional testimony, acting VA Inspector General Richard Griffin adamantly denied that changes in the final report, which downplayed links between delayed care and up to 40 veteran deaths, had been “dictated” by VA headquarters.
But e-mails released Friday by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs show that Sloan Gibson, who had been acting VA secretary, personally corresponded with Griffin in early August, asking him to amend the report.
You might remember that the day the report was released to the media, the President was speaking to the American Legion and making more bullshit promises about caring for veterans. But, I suppose that had nothing to do with the urgency to mislead the media.
Thanks to Chief Tango for the link.
Category: Veterans' Affairs Department
Hmm. So much for the hope that Gibson would turn out to be a “straight shooter” while acting VA Secretary.
Can’t really say I’m surprised, though – not after his tenure at the USO and a few of the stunts they pulled to pressure folks while he was in charge.
Right, TSO? (smile)
I have met Gibson.
He was a good speaker but struck me as a “backroom” guy instead of out front.
He claimed he needed 18 months.
The clock is ticking.
18 months? Maybe I’ll get my back pay by then….. Not holding my breath though.
I must admit I had small faith in another Obama appointee. But somewhere in there, you would think personal integrity would come into play. But alas, that would require integrity as a character asset to begin with.
Why have have an IG at all? If they are going to be swayed by politics, then they shouldn’t be in the job to begin with. This is such bullshit. I don’t blame Sloan, because he is a political appointee and only doing what political appointees do; watching out for the party and boss. I blame the spineless IG for letting Sloan call the shots.
Both IMO deserve scorn, Old Trooper.
An IG with a spine would have told Gibson, “Mr. Secretary, your opinion is noted – but my report stands as-is. It is your prerogative to add a cover letter expressing your opinion if you like.”
But an Acting VA Secretary worth a damn would have never attempted to strong-arm their IG into watering-down a report in the first place.
An IG with stones would have said, “Mr. Secretary, I’ll be noting your request, in bold print, in my report to Congress.”
Saying that there is no conclusive evidence is really bullshit. Sure, it walks, looks, and sounds like a duck but, w/o DNA, we cannot say conclusively that it is a duck. Games, games, and more games.
This.
Exactly this.
Just wait until it breaks that they are systematically downgrading TBI and PTSD claims based on information provided by physicians that are practicing outside the scope of their licensure.