Leadership at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is failing to adequately screen employees and contractors and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) wants the situation remedied.
Following the Feb. 8 publication of a report by the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) highlighting the risks imposed by the VA on the health and safety of the veteran community by failing to screen employees for prior criminal activity and improper conduct, Sen. Moran is demanding answers and an action plan from VA Secretary Denis McDonough.
“When our government oversight partners disclose serious deficiencies in VA’s ability to manage its workforce, VA leadership should provide an explanation and commit to own the shortcomings until they are rectified,” the senator wrote in a March 19 letter sent to McDonough.
The VA OIG report found that unvetted VA employees with prior criminal records of physical and sexual assault, terroristic threats, and financial fraud were able to leverage their VA employment to stalk, sexually harass, and assault victims at VA facilities, according to the letter sent by Sen. Moran, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
The lawmaker also cited several U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that have found fault with the oversight of the VA’s personnel, according to his letter, and he requested that McDonough provide him with a comprehensive plan by April 19 that includes any legislative needs to ensure the VA’s workforce will be screened and held to the highest professional standards.
“As OIG and GAO have clearly articulated time and time again, through inadequate screening processes for employees ranging from direct care providers, to security personnel, to contracted childcare providers, VA is placing the health and safety of veterans, their families, the public, and your workforce at unacceptable risk,” wrote Sen. Moran. “Your personal leadership is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of veterans, the American public as a whole, and VA’s workforce.”