Community | August 21, 2009 | 7 comments

As Veterans await disability checks, VA workers get $24M bonuses

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090821/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_veterans_bonuses

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bansheewail
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.

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.

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7 comments // As Veterans await disability checks, VA workers get $24M bonuses

  • hunzedog
  • Prijedor
  • lifestudentno83
  • pjacobs51
  • lifestudentno83
    • 0
      lifestudentno83  

    • I'm surprise someone hasn't blamed Obama yet...

      Funny how when their guy is in office, nothing is ever his fault. He can do NO WRONG, but when someone else is in office he's failing at every turn.

      Damn that Obama!! Why couldn't he have just been a fully-white, rich conservative D-bag? Then EVERYONE would be happy!!

    • 2 years ago
  • ThoughtNu
    • 0
      ThoughtNu  

    • 'Us' veterans have never had 'our' interests made a priority, even in the VA.. the budget, staff and material trump the vets. I was told it was because ,'they'.. can not address the vets issues properly without them...' Gen Van Dam, Walter Reed. As a retired disabled veteran emeritus(with honors) I know the system, the abuse and rewards all too well.
      Unfortunately this is not 'news' because pick any year and you will find the same types of abuse of power; from any variety of bias, nepotism...even straight out theft.

      For those of you that wonder what a soldier receives for their sacrifice to society, allow me to fill you in. First off let me begin by saying there are some true benefits as well as nightmares. Unfortunately the bad aspects are far greater than any benefit. Of which the GI bill is the only true benefit. Job training and placement is ok, if you don't mind a majority of dead end positions with minimal pay. Free medical attention but that is a farce because a buddy set up a dental appointment in 92 and wasn't called in until 05..a dental appointment. All VA hospitals are training hospitals, full of kids waiting to make their first cut. Each year your case is re-evaluated to attempt to lower any % of a soldiers disability ( their pension is under attack every year) Oh and as far as local benefits, I got a transit card. Not to mention that all of our 'greatest generation' ( WW2 vets) have been cut off... oh and should you have a 'run in ' with the law ; vets get historically tougher sentences...get injured in the military and this wonderful life can be yours to.

    • 2 years ago
  • bansheewail
    • 0
      bansheewail  

    • If there is one political subject that the Left and the Right should agree on 100% of the time, it is Veterans Affairs. WTF, America!!! Why are we letting the people who defend our freedom and sacrifice their bodies in the process, suffer?? They suffer while others make huge bonuses. Are you kidding me?? It seems to me that every American is having to tighten the old belt these days financially.......Unless, of course, you work on Wall Street, K Street, for a Gov't Contractor(Blackwater, Haliburton) or the federal government. All the insiders are doing fine. But, those of in the real world are struggling. Every Vet in American should have a roof overhead, a full belly and a healthy dose of dignity BEFORE one bonus is given to anyone at the VA. If there is one Vet sleeping under a bridge, you have failed, NO BONUS.

      This post is for Rick Siler, my Godfather. He was a Ghostrider, helicopter pilot in Vietnam....Two Bronze Stars, One Silver Star and a Purple Heart.

    • 2 years ago
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