The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a comprehensive review of the VA Loma Linda Health Care System amid a congressional investigation into employee complaints alleging widespread retaliation and harassment from supervisors for reporting misconduct.
Since March 2019, the VA’s Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection has received 35 retaliation allegations from VA Loma Linda whistleblowers, the OAWP’s investigation division director, Eric Calhoun, told the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight during a Nov. 2 hearing.
Of those, 11 prompted investigations and five resulted in recommendations for disciplinary action to VA Loma Linda management, Calhoun said.
One disciplinary recommendation from OAWP was fully implemented by management while three weren’t because the employee accused of misconduct had already resigned from the VA. VA Loma Linda officials took no action to enforce the remaining recommendation.
Across-the-board, about 3% of OAWP’s investigations result in discipline, Calhoun said. OAWP is responsible for oversight while management at VA facilities is given discretion in implementing punishment recommendations.
OAWP’s disciplinary statistics are alarming, said Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Hesperia, who is investigating whistleblower complaints at VA Loma Linda along with Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois.
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