Fentanyl Daniel Bochicchio

Former VA Chief Of Staff Faces Drug Theft Charges

Fentanyl Daniel Bochicchio

The former chief of staff of one VA medical center is now singing the blues after being charged with 15 counts linked to fraud and subterfuge.

According to court records reviewed by the Herald Mail, Dr. Daniel J. Bochicchio was charged with multiple counts linked to illegally acquiring the drug fentanyl. Bochicchio allegedly used private patient information to secure large quantities of the painkiller.

Fentanyl is many times stronger than morphine, 50 to 100 times, and can be mixed with heroin to lower costs for drug dealers.

The court documents reportedly show the doctor unlawfully received drugs as part of the scheme for a few months after being selected to serve as the chief of staff at Martinsburg VA Medical Center, located in West Virginia.

Bochichio was relieved of his position and is no longer with the agency, as of June 2, 2017.

RELATED: Drug Theft – Who Is Stealing Drugs Intended For Veterans?

Bochicchio Drug Theft Background

According to the Herald:

In January 2016, the Beckley (W.Va.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center announced on its Facebook page that Bochicchio was assigned for a 90-day detail as the facility’s acting medical center director.

The announcement noted that Bochicchio is board certified in anesthesiology and critical-care medicine, and has more than 25 years of commissioned service in the Army National Guard.

His service included five years on the National Guard Bureau Joint Staff, where he served as the first joint staff surgeon.

Bochicchio had been caring for veterans for more than 10 years as an attending physician at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

He also is a longtime faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

The charges against Bochicchio include misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge.

Subterfuge? That is something I have not seen in a while.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has recently come under fire for not quickly addressing the scourge of drug theft by VA employees as of late.

How is that for a way to create an even bigger payday than what many already receive when getting benefits, a sweet salary, and a sizeable bonus…? Now, they also get the profits from selling / stealing drugs intended for vets.

Who would not want to work at VA with all those incentives?

Source: https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/tri_state/west_virginia/ex-chief-of-staff-at-martinsburg-va-center-faces-drug/article_c6e8b59a-da02-5e7e-a7b9-5204042d084f.html

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99 Comments

  1. 06/23/2017

    Dear Benjamin Krause,

    Kirt Raymond is in need of Positive News.

    This [Benjamin Krause’ Blog] is not, Channel 3 and Channel 5 [both TV stations have been merged together] TV in Phoenix; nor is it the Gannett News People who own Channel 12 and the Arizona Republic Newspaper/USA Today—each one of these outlets proclaim to be a Positive News “feeling” organization and Family “friendly.” These “companies” are not allowed and cannot get close to the Truth about the VA Hospital here in Phoenix.

    The Arizona University, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism is helpless, which is right next door to a Congressman who cannot and will not respond to a letter, hand delivered with a CD of Books on the VA Scandal, now years ago.

    Positive can only come from corrective actions [from all the negatives (Murders/homicides, theft, illegal drug distribution, contract fraud, medical fraud, management fraud, etc…)] but those corrective actions are being shut down by the VA every step of the way.

    The list is extensive, Kirt Raymond, of the tragedies and the treason, there is no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow; only more dead soldiers at the hands of “caring souls.”

    Utopia will not be found until the Kirt Raymond types wake-up to the tragedies [508 is the last count in October of 2016 at the Phoenix VA—VA’s numbers] and do something.

    It is apparent, the many veterans on this page cut through Kirt Raymond’s attempt to stall corrective actions.

    Not here and not now.

    Until the VA stops their killings [N.E.A.R. Wait lists; Toxic cocktails–Over medications, fake evaluations, fake medical personnel, etc…],—“the way they do business”—the pressure is on.

    Sincerely,

    Don Karg

  2. The VA Reform Bill the President is signing:

    “https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1259/text”

    1. On a quick read, nothing has changed except time limitations on appeals have been shortened and time for decisions by an Administrative Law Judge has been shortened.

      Nothing has changed for a veteran attempting to get benefits. No time shortening on claims. No change in mulit year back pay, etc., that also needs reformed.

  3. @TB the HIPPA act is for anything that you would record as Veteran (patient) identifiable information such as a name, number, etc. It is to protect a patients privacy. In filing the EEO complaint your allegations has to include the name of the offender, date, offense, etc. Your management is lying to you. If that statement was true that you had to have their “consent” no one would be able to file an EEO complaint. The va loves to twist everything to their advantage. An IT audit could show date and time this co-worker accessed your records. If they did not have justification to review your records they are in violation of accessing your records. If a manager directed them to do a review of your records then you have a bigger problem.

  4. The only time a Privacy Act violation gets the VA’s attention is when the VA is trying to use that as means of retaliating against a whistleblower. At the Atlanta VBA (veterans benefits administration) my records were not protected and my coworker accessed them. I reported this to management and they ignored me for months. I eventually filed a Federal Claims Tort Act (FTCA) against them and for the first time did they acknowledge my complaint and actually called me in to speak to me. It’s coming up on the six months they get to investigate the FTCA and they haven’t responded to me.

    Oh, but guess what? In response to one of my EEO complaints, they sent me a nice little “notice” (where I’m not sure if they are putting me on notice or charging me) where they say that if I say anything within the course of the EEO investigation that another veteran and/or coworker did not consent to, I can face penalties, fines, imprisonment and they will notify HHS/HIPPA/the veteran or coworker of my alleged violation.

    Really? For real? So, the coworkers that had illegal access to my records (and those that allowed the unauthorized access) remain unfined, undisciplined, gainfully employed by the VA – while I’m being read the riot act.

    The VA has and continues to take veterans’ privacy as a joke. The only time they get into gear is to retaliate against a whistleblower. BTW, is this “Bocchicchio” character related to the VBA Atlanta Director, “Al Bocchicchio”? If they’re related, I wouldn’t be surprised. Birds of a feather…..and all that.

  5. @Concerned Veteran – – – Where did you dam ass go to? You visit Ben’s place, make a snide remark, then some commenters post back to you, you leave. What the hell is this. Stand you’re ground puke. Where you stay?

  6. Off-Topic: HA HA….Insane Senator McCain is being called-out for being a rabid dog about this Russia/Trump Election fiasco…WHY? Because back in 2008, McCain was found to definitely have evidence of too close for comfort Russian relations going on in his photo-ops and business dealings….the IRONY of it. HA HA!!!!!!

    That old turtle needs to retire already! Or, just maybe, McCain could go to bat for his fellow Veterans? R-r-ight!

    1. @Namnibor – – – All one needs to do is to go back in time, and review all photos of H. Clinton and D. Trump with the top leadership of Mother Russer. If I recall correctly, its quite normal for both the Democrat and Republican Nominators to have some sort of Foreign Relational Contacts with other leaders.

      The Left is playing the deception card heavily. It depends on what type of information was exchanged with suspected countries at mind. Foreign Politics, that what it is.

    1. Wow you Concerned Call of Duty Veterans living in Moms basement are pathetic.

      See how false assertions against others you don’t know shit about works?

    2. @Concerned Veteran- If a troll can smell his or her own swamp gas emissions on first day of Summer, does that mean we will have a longer or shorter Summer?

      ~Gurgle~ Incoming Hot Pocket to Concerned Call of Duty Veteran’s mommy’s basement lair!

  7. A nurse at the Wilmington Delaware VA stole $22,000.00 from a veteran. The DOJ released the info on Saturday of Course and OIG has yet to publish it!
    “https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2017/06/18/former-wilmington-va-nurse-sentenced-stealing-patient/406678001/”

    1. And the VA Leadership said pertaining to this incident, “We take allegations of employee misconduct very seriously, especially when those allegations are related to the welfare of our veterans,” said Vince Kane, director of the Wilmington VA Medical Center.

      “It is particularly painful when an employee entrusted by VA to care for veterans abuses that trust for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Donna L. Neves of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General. “It’s why VA OIG pursues cases like this, so veterans can feel safe in all aspects of their care.”

      “https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2017/06/18/former-wilmington-va-nurse-sentenced-stealing-patient/406678001/”

      Don’t you feel the love from the VA? They have the backs of all BENEFICIARY’s (Veterans).

      1. Actually, you can apply what she said about this to vets facing medical bills that the VA won’t pay, or vets having their insurance billed for service connected conditions.

        I see no difference in the theft. Just the method is different.

      2. The OIG is full of shit and so is DOJ! They highlight these cases but never highlight what the OIG does. Ask Senator Carper and Coons from Delaware. I submitted a disclosure to the Senate Judiciary Committee info regarding the conduct of OIG including a letter to Bernie Sanders who did ansolutely nothing. Coons sits on the Judiciary Committee and Carper is another version of McCain. Two muppet looking oldheads from Sesame Street , smoked out on betablockers and tunafish! (little faggots) emphasis added!

  8. Here is one of the DAV fraudsters that has been caught.

    USDOJ Press Release
    “Snoqualmie Washington Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Defrauding Government Programs of More than $646,000”

    “Invented Injuries from Rocket Attack to Falsely Claim Medals, Disability Payments and Other Benefits”


    A former Captain of the Idaho and Washington National Guard was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to three years in prison, three years of supervised release, and $646,300 in restitution for his lengthy scheme to defraud multiple government programs, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. DARRYL LEE WRIGHT, 48, who served as Chairman of the City of Snoqualmie Planning Commission, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud in February 2016, admitting he defrauded the Veterans Administration, Social Security Disability, Washington State Employment Security, the Department of Commerce and others with his claims of being injured while serving in Iraq with the Army National Guard. In fact, WRIGHT lied about being injured in a rocket attack and submitted pictures of destruction which had no connection to his service in Iraq. At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said Wright dragged “many people into a web of deceit . . . this was a complex and nefarious scam implemented over a long period of time . . . it was a continuous fraud. . . a very lucrative scheme.”

    “This defendant brazenly lied about his combat history to get more than $600,000 in benefits he did not deserve,” said U. S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “His willingness to steal from a system meant to take care of those who have bravely served our country, or are otherwise in need, is an outrage. There is no question that the defendant earned the significant sentence he will now serve for his crimes.”

    As early as 2006, WRIGHT began his scheme to defraud by submitting phony statements to the Army and to the Veterans Administration to create the false narrative that he had been injured in a rocket attack. As the scheme progressed over the years, WRIGHT made false and conflicting claims to various agencies in an effort to fraudulently obtain benefits. Government investigators estimate that WRIGHT’s frauds cost government programs some $737,539. The Army has stripped WRIGHT of his Purple Heart Medal and Combat Action Badge.

    In an evidentiary hearing lasting six days, the government presented evidence that WRIGHT defrauded Veteran’s Benefit Administration of $261,719 in claiming he was disabled by a rocket attack that did not occur as he described. WRIGHT then defrauded a Veteran’s Caregiver program of $83,967 claiming he was so disabled he needed a full time caregiver even as he was traveling, playing basketball, caring for his child and serving on the Snoqualmie Planning Commission. He defrauded Social Security Disability of $181,438 claiming he was too injured to work even though at the time he was employed full time by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Later in the scheme, WRIGHT defrauded the Office of Personnel Management of some $48,226 by claiming disability from his job at the Department of Commerce. WRIGHT defrauded Washington State Employment Security by collecting $29,860 in unemployment benefits claiming he was able and willing to work while simultaneously claiming to the Social Security Administration that he was fully disabled and unable to be employed. WRIGHT further used his disability status to avoid repayment of more than $41,068 in student loans to the Department of Education. Finally, WRIGHT defrauded his employer, the Department of Commerce, by submitting fake orders claiming he was on military leave.

    In all, pleadings indicate that Wright victimized 16 different federal, state, local, and private entities, including agencies, programs, organizations, individuals and benevolent institutions such as Disabled American Veterans.

    Full Press release at “https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/snoqualmie-washington-man-sentenced-three-years-prison-defrauding-government-programs”

    1. @Seymore Klearly: Damnit man!!!!! This is the poster boy for the next VARO Director, he is obviously well qualified.

    2. Wow you Veterans got to say a lot but you don’t call your Senators and Representative how improve Veterans Healthcare and Benefits

      1. Yeah, just about every one of us have talked with our useless, lying, corrupt congressman, and senators.

        Any more assumptions you would like to make troll?

      2. @Concerned Veteran – – – For someone like your self, your sentence structure is quite sound, but its contents causes a discord and contention. Hey man, to be blunt, you’ve have no tact or class in knowing how to chime in. You most likely need to be evaluated neurologically. Don’t worry, there are plenty of Brand Name samples of medications that can be supplied to you. Of course all this depends on through trial and error. You bet cha. Hey, list how you can directly help, or ask someone if they need help. We get this type of attitude from VA Employees all the time. Thank you. – – – Nutter.

      3. Yo Fake concerned Veteran that is not a Veteran. How about the DAV and all their bullshit and fraud. Lets go ahead and talk about it shall we. We can talk all about there fake charities and their love of charitable gambling. Not to mention the fact that their gambling is contributing greatly to Veteran’s suicides.

        Or maybe we should talk about the fact that their claimed membership numbers are so out of touch with reality. What is it they current have less than 25% of their membership are actual Veterans and the remainder is made up of relatives or anybody who wants to join for the cheap beer and gaming machines.

        Or Should we talk about how all those claimed charitable hours are really just hours put in by the bartenders, cooks, wait staff and gaming managers. Talk about total corruption. Really stabbing real Veterans in the back using our name to run criminal enterprises.

        There is a lot more and I will be posting it latter thanks for taking the bait fool.

      4. Of course the DAV will go all out for any AFGE member like the one in the press release. Won’t they.

      5. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pleased to observe the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month during its traditionally recognized month of June. This year’s theme is “It Takes a Rainbow.”staring Concerned Veteran,.. must be in charge of this parade …….you just cant make this up…LOL

      6. I have been contacting senator Bennett’s office since 2004 and his office told me that the senator’s office can only make inquiries and can not fix anything.

        If the VA admitted to doing something wrong the senator’s office is null and void. !

        Many senator’s in southeast colorado will not even hold a town forum, they are afraid of the very people who are their voters.

        Its ok, don’t vote for them next time.

    3. Also need to point out that he is the Adjutant for NABVETS.

      The website has recently removed the page but Google cashed version is currently available at:

      “https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aJ_ed_oN764J:www.nabvetscolorado.org/officers/+&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us”

    4. Your back and thanks for your post, now when are VA employees going to be arrested for the fraud many have done or doing?

      I had a doctor write in my official medical record’s that I was stabbed while in the military. !

      I tried to have this corrected, VA refused. !
      I wrote to the Director in Denver and told them if the doctor would have looked at my chart, she would have seen that the VA saved my life after being stabbed here in the United State’s.

      I know they were trying to set me up, ad you know they falsely accused me of disruptive behavior and the doctor was new to the clinic and I believe that the manager of the clinic told her some stories about me.

      I have said over and over that all veterans must get copies of their medical record’s and read what the VA has written about them in their words not the veterans word’s.

      I guess the VA got mad at this guy for taking a play out of their play book.

    5. DAV, all VSOs are criminals and garbage. The VA will continue to cover up for them because the VA is scum too.

      “https://youtu.be/K2eXVA2b6so”

  9. Guess why Bochicchio was the temporary Chief of Staff at Beckley VA Medical Center. Because the regular Chief of Staff was under investigation for employee abuse!!! And had previously lost a $40,000 EEO for said crime.
    But worse, before that, he was involved in a scam to defraud veterans out of formulary medications they deserved (medications bought by Congress) and he and the Director (now at Pittsburgh) were cleared because the IG could find no ‘willful intent’ as both claimed the National VA Policy was too complex for them to understand. The Beckley Pharmacy Director got to retire with FULL VA BENEFITS – NO CRIMINAL CHARGES. Furthermore they did a scam check of any patients that were harmed claiming they looked at charts for 30 days. And sadly, the Inspector General approved of all of this. This was all national news. Yet one whistle blower was fired for bogus charges, and another was brought before a tribunal of peers claiming he was responsible for a veteran suicide (which never occurred) – but the Beckley COS made up a fictitious story and had those accusations made. That whistleblower just retired, rather than continue to put up with the criminal managers.

    1. Thanks for the details on this Richard.

      Only looking at 30 days of records explains that this will likely not result in any serious charges.

      The VAIG once again clearly demonstrates they just don’t want to dig in too deeply to VA corruption and criminal activity.

      I imagine they would go much further back in a veterans records to find proof of fraud or other criminal activity if it meant drugs were illegally obtained.

      Or the vet was overpaid $10 on travel pay.

      Now every drug thieving VA quack will know the 30 day limit and cover their tracks accordingly.

      1. I am posting this as I am now retired, the VA can’t harm me anymore. I WAS one of the whistleblowers. I can name names, and give more details. This went on at the Beckley VA for the 17 years I was there as a provider. Many pharmacists covered it all up. All for bonus money for managers. I was appalled at the Inspector General for their inadequate and unsuitable investigation. In my opin, they are a farce and they work WITH VA managers. Their “investigations” are nothing but a sham. I share this with you great vets in hopes that there can be a bigger investigation opened up.. Congressional inquiries, and some criminals who did harm these vets brought to justice, instead of the comfy retirement and job transfers they currently enjoy.
        PS: Bochicchio also claimed to be the Federal Director of Emergency Management.

      2. Richard Janney PA-C Retired….Your a good man. And I respect you for your decision. And I agree the OIG is nothing but a farce.

      3. Thanks for doing what you can for vets, Doc.

        I suggest keeping your documentation handy. I have been wondering for quite some time when any action would be taken against VA providers and their prescription theft practices.

        In my opinion it was only a matter of time.

        At some point, the IG will need to get serious about the laws that created their existence, and enforcement of others, or they will be facing the chopping block along with the thieves.

      4. Welcome and we need people like you to share whatever you feel comfortable sharing.

        I’m glad you are out from under their thumb. It is never to late to set the record straight.

        We, all know there are good employees, that are afraid to speak their mind in fear of Retalation. At the same time we need good employees to write to the Secretary and the Senate veterans affairs committee in Washington.

        Evidence is what is needed, so when these employees are called in front of them, they can’t wiggle their way out and they can catch them in their lies.

        I understand how hard it is to decide to feed the kid’s or telling the truth and get fired and the kid’s and the employee going hungry.

        That is why VA employees have to go to the top and tell the Secretary what they have seen and how they really feel.

        Little by little these bad employees can not hide everything, they will step in it some day , because they think they are invincible and can not help themselves from doing what they are doing.

        Your Free. ! Hope I can say that one day, they will state you were disruptive if your a veteran, so if u are a veteran be careful. !

      5. @Richard Janney PA-C Retired: Richard, thank you, and please keep in touch. There are other people here that also have similar, but different stories and proof. You guys really need to coordinate together, and combine efforts.

        I deleted the next 5 paragraphs, this isn’t the time to post them.

        Later Gators -¡!!¡-

      6. Richard Janney
        welcome to the site,
        I came across this article in the West Virginia fox 59 news Website. It claims:
        “RAINELLE – Dr. Daniel J. Bochicchio, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Emergency Management director,…”

        It has a video of him with a VA mobile unit set up for flood victims (veterans) from a flood in ’16. If he was not the director, then he lied about that to the news.
        The link is:
        “https://www.wearewvproud.com/story/32358490/mobile-units-set-up-to-help-greenbrier-county-veterans”

        Here is something interesting from the story:
        “All veterans in the area who’ve been impacted by the severe weather can visit these mobile units for resources they need. Even prescription medications lost in the floods.”

        EVEN PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS!!!! I wonder how many of these “lost meds” went to him. What an easy way to get some extra meds for the pocket.
        f8f

      7. f8f…his own mobile candy store, He turned a disaster into a JACKPOT for himself

      8. Every time some one does an investigation and find wrongdoing and do little or nothing will cost some veteran’s their lives.

        They are just as guilty as the criminal for not making an example of them for VA employees to see they will be held accountable.

    2. Welcome to this site, tell your friend’s. !
      The VA is great about making false allegations and are getting away with it so far.

      Let’s see if Secretary Shulkin follows through with his promise to fire bad VA employees.

      Veteran’s are going to have to speak up and let his office know everything veterans and good employees are going through or have gone through.

      Dirty shame they have been harming veterans for so long. The VA thinks it’s normal.

  10. You blame Ben for pointing out the bad, Ben had said the VA has good employees.

    Problem the good employees are attacked by the bad employees.

    Veteran’s are being attacked by bad employees.

    Management cover up bad employees, so not to look bad.

    Hundreds of thousands of veterans have been denied their deserved disability And VA refuse to see them, 22 veteran’s committing suicide daily, could it be the VA gave them a cocktail that caused these death’s.

    Thousands of veterans being punished by the VA for what they call disruptive behavior and do so at will and VA employees are not required to provide any proof of the allegations.

    1. You are so right-on, James. It’s like expecting a great cup of coffee to remain great after someone drops a cat turd into it…entire lot becomes corrupt.

      1. Depends if the “turd” product hydrated or dehydrated. Amount in size Per Pound is different Per Volume. Which will it be sir? Getting to sound like a VA story again.

      2. VA poo is always shaken but never stirred and on the rocks but sometimes on all glass conference room windows. That goes for hydrous and anhydrous form-factors.

  11. Seymore,
    This out today from;
    “MLordandGod” utube video!
    The Japanese are taking the radioactive waste from the destroyed fukishima nuclear reactor and throwing it into the Pacific Ocean!
    Wonder how that’s going to work out for the “fishers of sea life” and the people who eat sea life (fish and other life forms)?

    1. Even if encased in very thick concrete, the ocean’s salt water would corrode that well before the 20,000 half-life was up. As the Russians found out with Chernobyl, the only way is to complete encase and seal it off and plan to have to redo it every 100 years. 20,000 years is a lot of time for the jellyfish to mutate into the size of some VA employees on the purple team.

    1. The only thing to stop the VA from stealing drugs prescribed for a veteran and that veteran being labeled an abuser is for that veteran to be able to prove they are not getting the medicine, and raising 3 shades of hell about it…with documentation if possible.

      If you were cut off, is there a note in your records showing that? If so, are there records somewhere showing the medicine is still going out of the pharmacy? There would have to be in order for that pharmacy to continue ordering replacements.

      If those records don’t match up, someone should be answering some serious questions.

    2. Apparently the same thing that stops the VA from opening an account, with a fictitious name, using the veterans denied claim number. The same thing that prevents them killing veterans, using unqualified surgeons.

      NOT A DAMN THING!!!!!!

      Just ask Kirt Raymond, with his Ruby fucking Red glasses. Now that’s a good thing, Ruby and Red both agree.

      This is a rhetorical answer, aimed at “Nobody Loves Raymond!!!”

      1. @cj – – – Is this a sequel? About time them there Hollywood Peeps made another Comedy Sitcom.

      2. Tour right on the nose. If Secretary Shulkin does not follow through with his promise to fire bad employees, a lot more veterans will gave this done to them or worse.

        WE will very shortly if he means what he said will be done. We need to keep our eyes and ears open and let the veteran population what we see them doing.

        This 22 veteran’s committing suicide daily, I believe there is more to this story, Like giving these guys, gals a cocktail that caused these suicides, I can not put anything past some of these so called humans.

  12. @Kirt Raymond,
    Here’s something which might be “good” when speaking of the Veterans Administration! Of course only “SOME” think it’s good! Yet, how many don’t think anything “good” will come about over this “NEW Accountability Bill”?
    I believe the majority of veterans will see nothing good coming from it. The VA is already doubling down on Whistle-Blowers!” It’s being reported, and exposed, already. Not only on Ben’s Blogs, but in local news medias!
    So, when the majority sees VA employees, from top to bottom, being prosecuted – we just might think something “good” is occurring!

    From;
    “Military.com/Daily News”
    via; “Stars and Stripes”
    Written by; Nikki Wentling (reporting)
    Titled;
    “Some Veterans Celebrate VA Accountability Bill as a Promise Kept!”

    Like I said, until VA employees, from top to bottom, are being prosecuted – we, the majority, might see something “good” coming from VA!
    So, FUCK YOU KIRT RAYMOND!

  13. I would like to say something “good” about the benefits that I get, but that depends entirely upon what is meant precisely by my definition of “good”, right?

    Good could mean money, but it doesn’t.
    Good could mean health, but it doesn’t.
    Good could mean family, but it doesn’t.

    So what does “good” mean to me in the context of government services? It means they are giving back to me a tiny slice of what I put up on the table for America. I am indeed grateful that America has provided the table, but I don’t thank the cook for more than preparing my meal. It wasn’t the cook that put my food on the Earth and I generally reserve my gratitude and praise for the One who did.

    In truth the good things that I pray about are so far removed from what government represents here that I cannot identify anything similar to what I call “good”, so as much as I might “want” to say something good I will just have to let it pass like a fart in the wind…

    1. Forrest fires are actually considered very “good” for nature in a self-cleansing and many coniferous type trees only let-loose their seeds when exposed to the destructive but “good” forest fires.

      The same “goodness” to nature and benefiting mankind is the destructive wake of a volcano, where years afterward the fertile earth produces some of the best crops.

      The VA’s “good” qualities seem to more one-sided, leaning toward making engorged employees even more engorged “good” employees, but make no mistake, the VA is as destructive as that volcano or forest fire and my goodness, the VA even kills Vets really “good”.

    2. “The West Can’t Smell What Eurasia is Cooking”, now that is a “GOOD” thing. Did you ever walk past a house when you were young and they were cooking chitlins, Now that made you walk faster,…Actual headline

  14. It should be noted that in the current opioid epidemic in USA, fentanyl mixed with heroin is KILLING PEOPLE….in Ohio in 2017 thus far, JUST in Franklin County, we have had over 500 overdoses related DIRECTLY to fentanyl-laced heroin. Fentanyl is SO STRONG that even that overdose drug called meloxicam, requires 4 or 5 doses of meloxicam, and often that’s not even enough to bring a person back.

    Fentanyl is indeed used to mix with heroin as a way for dealers to make an already cheaper street drug go even further and has proven to be a deadly combo…and A LOT of fentanyl is acquired via mail order on internet from…CHINA….however, seems the rat bastards at the VA have found unsuspecting Veterans to steal drugs from in their names.

    Fentanyl is used to sedate an ELEPHANT or HORSES. Enough said.

    This now fired VA Director had to have other ratty fingers involved in his scheme and I will not be surprised one iota when I hear that Candyman Houlihan’s name eventually come-up again regarding drug thefts….wait for it.

    And the VA wonders why Veterans cannot trust the VA for even basic healthcare!!!

    Oh…fuck off Kirt Raymond. Sorry bad news wilted your snowflake. It’s not all rosy out here in the wild so if you require good news about the VA each day, just close your eyes and click your heals together three times while repeating, “There’s no place like home”….and pray that no VA flying monkeys cloud your day and may your poppies always make you sleepy because the wizard at the VA always knows best, right?

  15. @Kirt Raymond – – – You are personally grateful for your Disabled Veteran status? Interesting. While I am constantly learning to live with my disabilities, I cannot EVER imagine the day I will be GRATEFUL for TBI and PTSD, Peripheral Neuropathy, Stenosis, Sciatica, etc. that was caused by my military service.

    I also cannot ever imagine the day when I will be GRATEFUL for VSO’s who lack reading comprehension, are ill-informed as to Veterans Benefits available, choose to look the other way when a veteran is denied his justly earned benefits due to a clerical error the government makes, etc.

    I AGREE with you that it would be a breath of fresh air to hear good things about the VA. It would be even better if those good things were TRUE. Don’t you agree?

    I have been with the VA since 1995. Still waiting to see those good things here in Honolulu. Will be at the VA all day tomorrow. They now tell me I am no longer registered, and must re-register with them. How can that be?

    They have held my medical records at the same facility since 1995. I have had two PCP’s since that time. The first from 1995 until 2014. The second since 2014 to the present day. How can I NOT be registered with them when they send enough paperwork to my house yearly to kill forty acres of forest?

    Yes. It would be nice to hear good things spoken by veterans about the VA. And when the VA’s actions are such that I want to say good things about them – – – I will NOT hesitate.

    Until that Blessed day comes though, I have never been one to gripe about problems without attempting to provide a solution. Here is what I think needs to be done to FIX THE DAMN BROKEN VA:

    1. Recognize the problems inherent in the VA are SYSTEM-WIDE, not just limited to a few locations.

    2. Fire all the Lazy No Good Workers. Fire EVERY single AFGE/SES Employee.

    3. Sell off all the VA facilities. Alternatively, they may be converted into housing for homeless veterans.

    4. Issue all veterans a card that allows them to choose their own doctors within their community that they can TRUST.

    5. The United States Government will PAY those doctors promptly (Within 45 days) for the care they provide veterans.

    6. ELIMINATE the “Federal Protection” Umbrella for incompetent QUACKS that the VA sends to other states to practice other than their own. Going to practice in Hawaii? You need to be LICENSED in Hawaii. Same applies to all other states.

    7. Any claim a veteran submits that requires more than 90 days to adjudicate, is automatically found to be in favor of the veteran. If a claim filed by a veteran is found to be a false one designed to scam the system, the VA will have to prove in civil court that a false claim was intentionally submitted.

    8. All veterans will be allowed to seek/retain the services of a Veterans Rights Attorney from their first initial contact with the VA.

    9. No AFGE, nor any other Labor Union business will be allowed to take place in any Federal Workplace. Conducting Union Business during working hours will be STRICTLY PROHIBITED, and will be STRICTLY ENFORCED. Should any government employee be found violating this provision, it will result in IMMEDIATE LIFETIME DISMISSAL FROM ANY/ALL GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYMENT.

    10. Attorneys for appeal will be retained at the former employee’s PERSONAL expense. U. S. Taxpayer’s will not be subject to payment of legal bills for incompetent personnel with regards to Governmental Employment.

    POTUS Reagan broke up PATCO in the ’80’s. Time for POTUS Trump to break up the AFGE. Most of our current Congress Critters do NOT have Veterans Interests at heart. Perhaps their replacements will. VOTE OUT all these WORTHLESS INCUMBENTS.

    Give their replacement’s one term to take care of Veterans who put aside their own personal lives to answer this nation’s call when she needed them.

    If they cannot MUSTER THE STONES to do it properly – – – vote their worthless asses out as well. Party should NOT MATTER. What SHOULD MATTER is their VOTING RECORDS ON VETERANS ISSUES.

    NO Combat Veteran should be surprised when the next McVeigh or Congressional Baseball Team Incident occurs. Bound to happen. Just a matter of time . . .

    We have now reached the next accelerative phase of our country falling apart. Country before Party. Principles before Personalities. Always.

    Disgruntled Veteran
    1973 – 1976 USMC
    1978 – 1993 USN
    Wounded Warrior
    Honolulu, Hawaii

  16. Benjamin Krause,
    I at times am baffled by Your Constant Negative and demeaning post of Anything Realted to the
    Dept of Veterans Affairs, whether it be the Health Care system or Voc Rehab.
    When You have benifited in being able to get Your Law Degree Thur Voc Rehab and Your recent KARE 11 investigation got Your Emergency outside care covered by the V.A….
    Can You at Any Fracking time say anything good about the V.A. And the Benefits You Received and continue to get?
    Just might be a breather of Fresh Air to hear one Fracking good positive story ..

    I personally have had struggles with Dept. of Veterans care.. But Honestly for the most part.. when a Emergency has come up regarding my Care or having to seek Urgent Care at outside V.A. Facilities the V.A. Has come Thur and covered such events..
    I do not think this is as “rare” or exceptional..
    I again Rarely Hear You Attorney Benjamin speak for the average Veterans here.. seems You just stir up crap We All know goes on daily at V.A.’s across the country..
    I personally am Grateful for my
    Disabled Veterans stautus and care I received here at Minneapolis V.A… is it a Perfect System?? Not at all.. but the B.S. you stir up makes Magority of the comments on here forget .. to even look past the sad details and be somewhat grateful ..
    Really?? Is is that bad to have to contend a outside hospital bill once and a while ?
    I was in a Emergency situation back in January 2017 this year had to be taken to a local hospital since Minneapolis VA was over 30-miles away..
    spent 24-hrs in specialty care and even thou not fully my Service Connection the VA did cover because I presented the paperwork and followed up with my Mpls VA Primary Care..
    Again as in past with You Website..
    I appreciate Your information.. but a few Positive Stories if Care at Veterans Hospital would be nice.. We are Not as Veterans all being killed or mistreated every time we go to V.A..

    1. @Kirt Raymond: Why don’t you go fuck yourself? You want people to talk nice about an agency that kills Veterans? an agency who’s Doctors laugh behind Veterans backs, That agency? The agency who murders Veterans for money? in the form of bonuses? You asshole, get the fuck off this site, and go suck ” lil’ cox giant round ass. You will find nobody here who will side with your sorry ass, again, do us all a favor and go jump off of a nice tall building, after all that is what your incompetent Caregivers would wish Veterans would do.

      .+—————————–—-+
      .|.PLEASE.DO.NOT.FEED..|
      .|………THE.TROLL……….|
      .|………THANK.YOU………|
      .|….The.Management…..|
      .+———————————+
      …….,,,,,……|..|
      ………………|..|…..O
      ….o…………|..|……|
      __\|/___…=\|..|/=_\|/____

      ╭┳━┳┳━━━━━╭┫╰╮┈┈┈…┏━╮╭━┓┈╭━━━━╮
      ┃┃╭╯╰╮┈VA┈┃▎▃╰╮.┈┈┃┏┗┛┓┃╭┫AFGE┃
      ╯┣╯┈╭╯CASH╰╭╯╭▌┈┈╰┓▋▋┏╯╯╰━━━━╯
      ╱┃┈┈╰╮COW╮┈╰┳┻╯┈╭━┻╮╲┗━━━━╮╭╮┈
      ╱┃┏┳┳┻┻━┓┣┳┳╯╱╱.┈┃▎▎┃╲╲╲╲╲╲┣━╯┈
      ╱┃┃┃┃╱╱╱┃┃┃┃╱╱..┈.╰━┳┻▅╯╲╲╲╲┃┈┈┈
      ╱┗┛┗┛╱╱╱┗┛┗┛╱╱ ..┈┈┈╰━┳┓┏┳┓┏╯┈┈┈
      …………………….. ┈┈┈┈┈┗┻┛┗┻┛┈┈┈┈

    2. @Kirt Raymond, i do not know where you are getting some of your information. There has been many Veterans that did not get their emergency medical bills paid. Ben just asked if any other Veterans had difficulty with the same issue and many replied having the same issue. Why would you defend such a corrupt agency as the va? With every article there are hundreds of other Veterans suffering with the same difficulties with the va agency. That is the truth and you need to deal with it.

    3. @Kirt Raymond: Fuck…………..go sprinkle some fucking fairy dust on your damn cupcake and have a float down the sunny river, and read a copy of Huck Finn………..

    4. Kirt Raymond ……Just might be a breather of Fresh Air to hear one Fracking good positive story ……You need to go to a VA web sight, you will get all the positive FLUFF you want, with plenty of BULLSHIT spread all over it.and as for fresh air just open a window and breath deeply ….If that doesn’t help,..jump out the FUCKING window …HAVE A GREAT FALL

    5. Kirt Raymond…If you haven’t jumped yet call all your news stations and tell them to put something nice on for you, maybe that will make you feel better…your friend DR. REALITY

    6. I like this game of saying nice stuff first and then suggesting action oriented ideas! VA prohlem solving 101!!! KR you are a genius!

      I want to play but you go first! Please tell me something you like about the following word as well as something action oriented that we can do with it, ok?

      “Corruption.”

      Thank you for your service.

    7. Kirt,
      I have been going to various VA hospitals for over 25 years. Many commenters here have been going much longer.

      I for one am very grateful…that Ben provides all of these stories, particularly the negative.

      I cannot tell you how many comments, stories and personally saw veterans who believed they earned their benefits, and believed the VA would provide them, including proper health care, only to find out the hard way they were getting screwed hard by the VA because some jackass either couldn’t do their job, were lazy, or just didn’t like veterans.

      When that happens, veterans often spend years trying to fix the mistake because the VA rarely will admit a mistake quickly.

      In the meantime, it’s not only veterans that suffer and die because of VA incompetence, but it’s often their families that suffer as well.

      Until the VA has some true accountability and they stop screwing with veterans and their families lives, the VA deserves every load of shit dumped on them.

      Next time you go to the VA and you see a veteran, talk to them about why they are there. I bet every one you talk to has a horror story aboit the VA.

      Then look that veteran in the eye and tell them they shouldn’t say negative things about the VA.

      You want positive stories about the VA, go to their blogs and get all the smoke blown at you that you can handle. They will happily lie to your face.

      Or create your own web site.

    8. KIRK EAT YOUR OWN SHIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

  17. Hmmm, there was a guy in my state of SD that was arrested recently with a half a million dollars worth of fentanyl in pill form. Anybody know if this was in pill form? sure seems coincidental as I’m sure this POS drug addict could of got that amount to deal to society. greedy bastards

  18. More on junkie Daniel J. Bochicchio.

    Friday December 12, 2014 he was promoted form the rank of Colonel to the rank of Brigadier General in the National Guard.

    Sunday February 26th, 2017 Daniel J. Bochicchio, 57, of Newfield, was arrested for domestic violence terrorizing, following a report of a domestic disturbance on Manor Circle at 9:52 p.m. Bochicchio was later arrested on a warrant in Newfield at 11:16 p.m.

    Sources:

    Sanford Police Log
    Posted Mar 1, 2017
    “https://www.fosters.com/news/20170301/sanford-police-log”

    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE December 11, 2014
    “https://www.congress.gov/crec/2014/12/11/CREC-2014-12-11-pt1-PgS6646.pdf”

    1. A new rule that the Government should consider is that all SES employees pass a drug test. No more of these medical exams where they are given physicals marked “executive personal do not drug test”. They should also all be required to submit to the standards of random urine testing.

      I would be willing to bet that more than 50% of all VA SES employees would fail drug testing.

      1. Agree, random testing. With the drug epidemic there has to be effecting government employees and veterans are paying the price.

        I still feel when they parade veterans in front of people at sporting events, are trying to do a good thing by this, but I think it only makes it sound like veterans matter.

        These sport team’s should be fighting for veterans by asking the Secretary to help veterans and stop VA employees from doing the wrong thing.

    2. USDOJ Press Release
      “Physician at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Martinsburg indicted on drug charges”

      Full press release at: “https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/physician-veterans-administration-medical-center-martinsburg-indicted-drug-charges”

      From the DOJ press release it states; “The crimes are alleged to have occurred from January to March of 2017.”

      Combine that with his arrest record from Sunday February 26th, 2017. Showing that the Daniel J. Bochicchio, 57, of Newfield, was arrested for domestic violence terrorizing, following a report of a domestic disturbance on Manor Circle at 9:52 p.m. Bochicchio was later arrested on a warrant in Newfield at 11:16 p.m.

      The Brigadier General in the National Guard and VA acting Chief of Staff’s drug habits were clearly visible to any medical professional. They should indict anyone who knew and said nothing right along side this piece of waste.

      1. Agree, covering up for bad employees and doing nothing about it, makes them just as guilty as if they did it themselves.

        S lie is a lie and a cover up is a cover up and who pays for it the veterans.

        Insurance company killing and mameing veterans.

        The Secretary should have veterans going under cover and report back to him with proof not hearsay.

  19. @Benjamin and all, the situation with the VA is very sad to me. How can people in the VA such as the VA leadership and VA employees stoop so low? Benjamin, when I mentioned about people being hollow in a previous post in the other article, this is what I meant. When VA employees turn to drugs, obstruct the Accountability Act, harm veterans, or harm other whistle-blower employees who are trying to do right by the veterans, this shows that the VA employees have lost their way or may have not ever had a way for themselves. These people are hollow and empty. They are looking outside themselves for a fix without ever realizing it points back to themselves. If the VA employees would ever follow the law to further develop ethicality, accountability, and humaneness within the Department of Veterans Affairs, the emptiness and hollowness among the employees might just turn the tide. People who take pride in their lives with finding meaning are the ones who are living by their conscious with trying to do right by themselves and other people. Honesty is always the best policy. When people have positive good feelings and clean positive thoughts, one does not resort to illegalities such as drug use, drug theft, etc. Maybe one day the VA will do right by themselves and the veterans. I mean ethicality, accountability, and humaneness. Nothing more to say.

    1. Further comments, when people are true to themselves and true to others, then, the drug theft, illegal drug use, and criminality will not exist in their lives. If the VA employees or whomever walked a straight ethical line, then, no one would have to resort to illegal drugs such as the individual, Benjamin, you have spoken about in your article. Everyone have a great day.

  20. I wonder if there is a report anywhere indicating how many veterans identities were used by this thieving hack.

    One would assume veterans whose identities were stolen in this scheme would have been notified, but this is the VA. If they were notified, was it just as a simple notice of a Privacy violation? HIPAA violation? Do these veterans have any idea that their identities were stolen by this quack to get drugs illegally? Were these veterans put under investigation in any way as a fentanyl or opioid user?

    How far did this quack go in ruining veterans lives so he could steal drugs to sell? Seems he stole quite a bit just for his own use.

    It also seems doubtful this esteemed VA leader could have pulled this off himself. How many others helped him?

    So he is no longer with the agency. Did the VA take action against his license so he doesn’t pop up somewhere else?

    Finally, how many of those veterans had their own prescriptions cut off, yet the prescriptions continued so this hack could steal them?

    1. 91Veteran,
      For some reason I’m in agreement with you! I don’t believe he pulled this off by himself.
      And, where is he currently working?
      Why wasn’t he arrested?
      Why is there no arrest records available?
      Lots of questions, no answers from VA!

    2. @91Veteran- ALL my same exact questions. Fentanyl is NOT freely given-out nor prescribed RX in private or VA healthcare…more common are fentanyl patches for pain relief, whereas the powdered form is usually limited to anesthesiologists and veterinary medicine…as in ANIMALS….as in LARGE ANIMALS, as in horses and elephants.
      This VA hack certainly had other ratty hands involved and first place I’d look is the VA Pharmacy…ALL VA Pharmacies.
      I suspect we Veterans have been used as a patsy excuse to cut off meds under the guise of drug abuse, while the actual community-based fentanyl and heroin epidemic more likely than not, has been heavily fueled by the VA witch Dr.’s.
      Were SO MANY Veterans removed of their pain or otherwise RX’s as a massive kneejerk to what the VA saw as a brewing storm as their own employees were fueling the epidemic? I think so.

      Rat Bastards!

  21. Seymore, here’s additional information from your earlier comment!

    You might want to google the following; from:
    “True Daily”
    via: “The Washington Free Beacon”
    Titled;

    “Hillary Clinton and Crew Under Official Investigation!”

    It has to do with her, and her aides, (mis)handling of classified information. While she, and her aides, worked as Secretary of State and the Foundation, respectively!
    I have a suspicion she’s not far from being fully exposed even more. Especially when it comes to her illegal activities between her foundation and Secretary of State!

  22. This was from the Journal-News, Martinsville Va

    “It’s important to know the VA takes our mission very seriously and hold employees accountable for wrong doing. It’s important to stay on mission, and our mission is to take care of veterans,” McAleer said.

    Mike McAleer is the public affairs officer at the Martinsburg VA center.

    I really believe them. NOT!!!
    f8f

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