How do you reform a bureaucracy that has been immersed in one scandal after another in recent years if you aren’t willing to fire employees who misbehave?
The question arises again regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs because of its curious treatment of two high-ranking employees implicated in gross misbehavior and possible fraud.
and then took large sums in moving expenses, the VA merely demoted each to a position as assistant director of a regional benefits office — still with a handsome salary.
Colorado Rep. Mike Coffman got it about right when he said, “Yet again, the VA has failed to hold corrupt executives accountable. … I call on Secretary [Robert] McDonald to explain why these officials received a minimal demotion and were not fired.”
Good luck waiting on that response. Then again, the answer to Coffman’s question is fairly obvious. Even after promises of greater accountability earlier this year, the VA still values loyalty to employees, any employee, more than it does the interests of taxpayers.
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