Aumua and House Veterans Affairs Committee Question VA Officials on Misuse of Funds
Washington, D.C. –Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, Two high-ranking officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs refused to testify Monday night at a congressional hearing on allegations that they manipulated the agency's hiring system for their own gain.
Aumua Amata questions witnesses regarding the misuse of taxpayer funds by high-ranking VA officials during the HVAC hearing Monday evening
"The fact that we have these high-ranking VA officials allegedly misusing taxpayer funds for their own gain, when that money should be going to the care for our veterans, is deplorable," said Amata.
The VA's acting inspector general said in a report that Rubens and Graves forced lower-ranking regional managers to accept job transfers against their will. Rubens and Graves then stepped into the vacant positions themselves, keeping their pay while reducing their responsibilities, the IG said.
The two women are among five high-ranking VA officials who received subpoenas to appear at Monday night's hearing conducted by the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC).
The officials, Diana Rubens and Kimberly Graves, told a House committee they were asserting their Fifth Amendment rights under the Constitution to protect themselves against self-incrimination. Rubens, director of the Philadelphia regional office for the Veterans Benefits Administration, and Graves, director of the St. Paul, Minnesota regional office for the VBA, face possible criminal prosecution.
During the hearing, Congresswoman Amata questioned VA officials on the current state of morale of VA employees, in light of recent statements made by high ranking VA officials regarding open positions. The Congresswoman also questioned VA officials regarding the prevalence of Regional Offices (RO's) and whether streamlining the system would help to further reduce wait times for veterans seeking health care.
"I want our veterans to know that this committee is committed to stamping out all corruption and misuse of taxpayer funds at the VA. Furthermore, the committee will continue to seek answers to these actions and hold those responsible accountable," concluded Amata.
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