VA improperly approved nearly $11 million in bonuses for execs, watchdog finds

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Washington Post

VA improperly approved nearly $11 million in bonuses for execs, watchdog finds
Some executives have yet to repay the bonuses, which exceeded $100,000 in some cases, despite an order from the VA secretary.

By Lisa Rein
May 9, 2024 at 1:43 p.m. EDT

Veterans Affairs leaders improperly handed out almost $11 million in bonuses to more than 180 senior executives last year, with several taking home more than $100,000, a new investigation has found.

The bonuses came from funds that Congress earmarked to recruit and keep staff needed to process billions of dollars in new veterans benefits — not to reward top officials in Washington.

When Secretary Denis McDonough learned of the payments in September, he ordered all of the executives to repay VA. But the bonuses still are being recouped eight months later because many who received the money had already spent the checks, and some are challenging the order, according to a 92-page report by Inspector General Michael Missal’s office, obtained by The Washington Post ahead of its public release on Thursday.

The episode exposes a litany of blunders and missing safeguards within VA as its top leaders disregarded rules to hand payouts to all career senior leaders in the D.C. headquarters of the health and benefits systems — then failed to keep McDonough and others informed about the plan, Missal’s office found.

{snip}

By Lisa Rein
Lisa Rein covers federal agencies and the management of government in the Biden administration. At The Washington Post, she has written about the federal workforce; state politics and government in Annapolis, and in Richmond; local government in Fairfax County, Va.; and the redevelopment of Washington and its neighborhoods. Twitter https://twitter.com/Reinlwapo

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/09/va-bonuses-top-executives-pact-act-improper/

[dlk]

1. The bonuses can be clawed back

There’s no reason not to. If it involved the lower echelons, payroll deductions would have already started.

[erronis]

7. Why can't the bonuses be clawed back from the top brass also?

I understand that many (upper/lower) have already spent their bonuses. But tax liens work wonders in almost all cases, if needed.

[Traildogbob]

2. Didn't Trump

Appoint two Mardi-Lardo super members to be over the VA? Are they still there and why if so?
I think President Biden should have done some house cleaning with trumpers. Like Trump openly is saying he will do, nothing but pure blood MAGA’s in every fucking federal job under his Kingship.
How much money has GQP Trump cult stole from our nation, and continuing right now, as MTG rages about tax dollars being wasted by Dems?

[former9thward]

5. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough is a Biden appointee.

He is head of the VA.

[Adamsmith8820]

3. I am a Federal Employee

I work at a VA Hospital and we are on a hiring freeze(executive team tell us not to call it a hiring freeze) for the rest of this fiscal year and into next fiscal year. Sign on bonuses to new nurses and other newly hired employees were told their sign on bonus had to be yanked. We are severely short staffed and if one of my coworkers leaves, we are not replacing them. Its bad, real bad. Thank you for posting the article because it at least helps me and my coworkers understand who is at fault for this major budget crisis across all VAMCs right now....the career Washington DC politicians!

[Deuxcents]

4. This is the kind of news that makes me sick...11 million dollars

Would go a long way to upgrade, update and serve our veterans so much better. Our Veterans stepped up, signed up and did what was asked of them and now that they are in need, we don’t have the resources for them. I call bullshit. 11 million dollars bonus for execs?! Our Vets deserve better..if they need it..get it for them. They were willing to lay down their lives for us..we need to at least make sure they have what they need. These bonuses need to stop..do your job and do it well.

[BComplex]

6. Whoever approved these bonuses....that person's head needs to roll.

Biden/Harris need to do some serious house cleaning.

[onetexan]

9. question is how this was authorized without the Secretary's approval. Where is the oversight?

[doc03]

8. I am a veteran but can't get any VA benifits because I make to much money. nt

[Deuxcents]

10. Ridiculous!

[IronLionZion]

11. Veterans first, amirite?

Or screw the veterans first.

Sounds like Biden appointee Denis McDonough is not the bad guy here and might need to make some staffing changes among the executives.