Pappas Demands Answers Over VA’s Insufficient Internal Whistleblower Investigation at White River Junction

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), who serves as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a briefing on their gravely mishandled investigation into whistleblower allegations raised at the White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Following the 2018 allegations at the White River Junction Medical Center, VA conducted an investigation but failed to substantiate most of the allegations, despite evidence to the contrary and sworn testimony. Furthermore, VA also tried to undermine the character of a VA employee who was physically abused on the job. To better understand how this investigation was conducted and ensure that these failures are not repeated, Chairman Pappas requested a staff briefing in one month on this issue.

"The numerous shortcomings in VA's own inquiry into claims of abuse and wrongdoing at the White River Junction Medical Center are simply unacceptable," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "As Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I have made empowering and protecting whistleblowers at VA a top priority, and I have led several hearings on this topic at which VA leadership promised to do the same. It is evident that VA fell short here on its responsibility to protect staff and take seriously the reports of whistleblowers who were brave enough to speak out against abuse. I expect my office to receive a full briefing on this matter from VA, and I will continue to work towards ensuring that future investigations are held to a higher standard."

You can read the full letter HERE or below:

The Honorable Denis McDonough

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am writing to bring to your attention a serious problem within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding its investigations.

A recent Office of Special Counsel (OSC) report on the White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center (White River Junction, Vermont) found that the findings of the Department's reports on disclosures of wrongdoing "do not appear reasonable."[1] OSC's review found that the Department had a willingness to resolve issues in favor of the agency despite evidence to the contrary, disregarded sworn testimony and eyewitness accounts, and made conclusions that were at odds with the available evidence. Even when VA did substantiate allegations, the agency did not conduct additional review until requested by OSC.

Additionally, not only did VA perform an unsatisfactory investigation, it impugned the character of an employee who had been the victim of violent behavior by a supervisor. This is an issue that goes to the heart of trust and equity at the Department and it is essential that VA prevent future instances of poor investigations and inappropriate action against an employee.

I request a staff-level briefing on this issue by April 30, 2021. The briefing should include how the Department plans to improve procedures to prevent similar investigative and reporting failures, as well as what steps have been taken at the White River Junction VAMC, specifically, to correct the situation.

I thank you for your commitments to making VA safe and welcoming. I look forward to learning how you plan to address these issues. Please contact Daria Berstell, Professional Staff Member for the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, at daria.berstell@mail.house.gov, and Kat Cosgrove, Senior Legislative Assistant for Rep. Chris Pappas, at kat.cosgrove@mail.house.gov, with any questions.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Congressman Chris Pappas