Veterans are outraged by a recent investigation revealing that the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $10.8 million in bonuses to senior executives. The VA Office of Inspector General’s 92-page report, which can be found here, found that while the bonuses were eventually canceled, not all of the money has been recouped.
Disabled Marine veteran Shelby Anderson expressed frustration, stating that it is disrespectful to see millions spent on bonuses while many veterans are still awaiting much-needed support. Concerned Veterans for America Executive Director Russ Duerstine is calling for the resignation of Undersecretary of Health Shereef Elnahal and Undersecretary of Benefits Joshua Jacobs in response to the scandal.
Various individuals, including Kate Monroe and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, have voiced similar outrage over the misallocation of funds meant to help veterans. The money for the bonuses was taken from critical skill incentive payments, which were intended to attract skilled employees to the VA.
The report by the Office of Inspector General revealed that the issuance of the bonuses lacked justification and was due to leadership and control breakdowns within the VA. Many executives who received the bonuses, only to be told to return them, are also upset by the situation.
Two executives have already decided to retire over the recoupment of the payments, further highlighting the impact of this scandal on those involved.
