Yoder blasts VA for allowing disgraced VA employee to collect benefits

U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-KS) is seeking answers to why a disgraced Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physician’s assistant has been allowed to collect federal retirement benefits.

In a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald, Yoder wrote that he was disturbed to learn that Mark Wisner, a former VA physician’s assistant who is under investigation for sexual assault, is currently collecting taxpayer-funded pension benefits.

“It is unconscionable that an individual under active investigation for sexual assault is allowed to receive a taxpayer-funded retirement package,” Yoder wrote.

The congressman questioned whether the VA has the authority to freeze or revoke Wisner’s benefits and whether it could have prevented Wisner from retiring while he was on leave during the investigation.

“While the criminal and civil charges against Mr. Wisner are being worked out in the justice system, the VA still has a responsibility to take action to hold this individual accountable,” Yoder said.

In July, Yoder and U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) questioned how Wisner had cleared the VA’s initial background check in a letter to McDonald that has not been answered.

“Many Americans lost confidence in the VA after its scandals, and the department has a long way to go in regaining the trust of the taxpayers and the veterans they are serving,” Yoder said. “Congress has already funded the VA through FY2017, but if necessary I stand ready to take legislative action should it be necessary to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to sexual predators in the future.”