Bustos calls for full criminal investigation into VA system & resignation of Sec. Shinseki following release of interim report

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in light of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General’s interim report, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) called for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to launch a full, system-wide Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into allegations of potential criminal activity by employees of the VA and for the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.  The VA Inspector General’s interim report released today found “systemic” problems nationwide and allegations of gross mismanagement and criminal misconduct by senior VA leadership.

“It’s a sad day for our nation to have to grapple with such grim findings and our veterans, past, present and future, deserve better,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.  “Fixing the problems characterized in today’s report as ‘systemic’ and involving criminal misconduct requires new leadership at the top, and as investigations continue, those responsible at mismanaged medical centers and those that oversee health care at the highest ranks of the Veterans Administration should be held accountable.”

Over the last several days, at the Congresswoman’s request, Bustos was personally briefed by the three VA Administrators that serve Illinois’ 17th Congressional District on the timeliness and quality of care at their facilities in addition to the system-wide audit the VA is currently undergoing.  She was briefed by Judy McKee, Director of the Madison VA, Japhet Rivera, Director of the Danville VA, and Sandra Horsman, the Acting Director of the Iowa City VA.

In her letter to Attorney General Holder, Bustos wrote, “I urge you to utilize all available resources, including the FBI, to support system-wide criminal investigations related to the care of our veterans.  If the allegations are founded, we urge you to ensure the guilty parties are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”      

Yesterday, Bustos sent a letter to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki calling for a thorough and comprehensive nationwide audit of the VA and demanding full accountability of any and all VA employees found responsible.  Last week, Bustos supported the bipartisan Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act, which would give the VA much greater latitude to fire VA executives who fail to perform.

A copy of Bustos’ letter to Attorney General Holder is below and HERE.

May 28, 2014

The Honorable Eric Holder, Jr. Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530-0001

Dear Attorney General Holder:

I write with great concern about allegations of potential criminal activity documented in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General (IG) interim report, dated May 28, 2014, by one or more government officials within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Phoenix Health Care System (HCS).  Allegations at the Phoenix HCS include gross mismanagement of VA resources and criminal misconduct by VA senior hospital leadership, creating patient safety concerns and even the possibility of wrongful deaths.

The VA IG interim report has cited "substantiated serious conditions" in the Phoenix HCS and reveals the need for an immediate and thorough criminal investigation.  The Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have the authority, knowledge, and resources to perform an effective criminal investigation of the serious allegations and potential cover ups that may have occurred within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

The possibility that veterans have been suffering and dying due to excessive wait times for medical appointments, whether due to intentional action or inaction of VA officials, is unacceptable, unconscionable and potentially criminal.

Our nation’s veterans, past, present, and future, deserve the best possible healthcare without bureaucratic delays and a gamed system.  In light of these ongoing concerns, I urge you to utilize all available resources, including the FBI, to support system-wide criminal investigations related to the care of our veterans.  If the allegations are founded, I urge you to ensure the guilty parties are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  Thank you for your consideration of this important request.

Sincerely,

Cheri Bustos

Member of Congress

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