Veterans Affairs Caught Spying On Whistleblowers
The Department of Veterans Affairs is at the center of a new Congressional probe of allegations that the agency is spying on whistleblowers’ email systems.
Screen shots from a leak inside VA show Secretary Bob McDonald is diverting emails from whistleblowers into a special account within VA Central Office. The lists of names on the screen shot are titled “Sec Divert Internal.” The IT worker turned whistleblower told Washington Examiner that he/she believes the emails from those workers are being sent right to DC.
VETERANS AFFAIRS REDEFINES SPYING
After Congress initiated the probe, VA admitted it was monitoring some emails that were flagged and diverted to DC. However, it claims the scheme was purely for the benefit of the flagged employee to ensure the emails from whistleblowers were answered more quickly.
A VA spokesperson said:
“As part of the Secretary’s commitment to changing the culture of VA to provide better customer service to Veterans and to empower employees, because it is their work that makes VA better for our veterans, certain emails received by the secretary and deputy are immediately forwarded to VA’s client relations team for priority review and quick action.”
The spokesperson also claimed the word “Divert” does not mean “Divert” but instead “Priority.” Apparently the agency is choosing to redefine more terms that just “accountability.” Perhaps by “Spy” they actually mean “Watch Closely In Secret”?
A WHISTLEBLOWER’S PERSPECTIVE
Whistleblower Scott Davis believes the “divert list is a hit list.” Instead of diverting the emails to ensure the matters are resolved, Davis’ emails are being diverted to his superiors. So apparently the good times of retaliation are still on the horizon for at least this guy.
Now yesterday, I wrote that VA executive Sloan Gibson claims allegations from Congress about corruption and retaliation against employees is a bunch of “crap.” He also claims that spreading the “crap” is negatively impacting hiring of quality employees.
Does that seem logical or is Gibson talking about of both sides of his mouth? I think VA is responsible for VA’s inability to hire quality employees. Why would you want to be spied on by your bosses?
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If Bob is doing this the fbi should be all over this. !
Must he planning on cutting their our disability for speaking out. !
If true 10 year’s in prison. Should bring him to hid senses. !
i am on the hit list.
Put them in jail 10 year’s
We should have full legal rights to protect our rights fully, any veteran, especially our disabled veterans!!! When we are being retaliated against in any way, mocked that involves a crime (like getting into medical records that you do not have permission to), any machinated act that causes any harm, any orchestrated harm and any type of attack we should have full protection and help when this happens!!! It should not happen to begin with! But instead we are being denied real legal help! When we are being attacked at a VA hospital we should have legal help to make real corrections and not allow union & corruption to get in the way of correcting, preventing & stopping any type of attacks against veterans!
Yes.veterans need legal assistant.we have none.they will send you to the patient rep for assistance with your concerns.
The patient rep is supposed to help veterans instead they cover up any veteran concerns.
Who pays their Bill’s.veterans and the public.but management holds the purse strings.we can’t compete with manager’s who control those employees and hand out bonues.
We hear everyday about what’s happening at the VA.we know they all can’t be lies.
The VA would rather let veterans be harmed instead of doing an honest investigation.they cover up for bad employees and could care less if it’s harming the veterans physiologically or psychology.
Bob McDonald is going along with the VA and helping them cover up everything and anything.
VA employee will never stop doing wrong until they are shown that it’s not ok to harm veterans and someone is held accountable and put in jail.
They talk and talk and that seems to be good enough for the OIG.congress and the justice department.
Where else could a person hurt someone else and get away with it.
McDonald’s office has been contacted by many veterans and he and his team ignore those veterans.
His choice program is a scam.they send veterans letters telling them they qualified for treatment outside the VA.when you call they will tell the veterans someone will call them back to make needed appointments.
They never call back and then report veterans don’t want choice program they want the VA, veterans have no choice except the VA and I bet those that try to.get their names on a list and forwarded to their treatment team for retaliation.
If they can say a veteran has or is a disruptive veteran.that would insure the veterans never get help fighting their misdeeds.
I was an approximate 10 year employee (with only very good semi-annual employee reviews) at VA, and blew whistle… I was removed approximately one year later.
Did you fight back.who did you contact.what reason did they use to justify the dismissel.
What did you blow the whistle on.
HERE YOU GO FOLKS, YOU MIGHT
KNOW THIS FIRM AND I AM A BLOWER OF WHISTLES! CLASS ACTION AGREED!
GIRADI/KEESE IN L.A.,CA.
Tell all VETS TIME TO BRING IT IN FRONT AND CENTER STAGE. I CANNOT DO IT FOR EACH VET. SO TIME TO BRING IN SOME BIG DOGS TO TAKE THEM ON! YOU WILL KNOW WHOM HE IS.
Does this law firm that on medical negligence cases, or attempted murder in this matter?
If not, who does. If I don’t do something, I will be dead on the next surgery they want to do………..
Here’s another website which is for veterans claims.
VAWatchdog dot org
They might be able to help?!
Check them out. There’s a bunch of attorneys on it!
For everyone who I saw saying their belief to their Congressional Leader of their state I know I do such as if a Veteran has a Medical Negligence case against a Veteran Medical or Mental Health Provider.
Yes I do…
Sloan must of smoked his lunch idiot,I finally had enough ,does anyone know a good attorney in the last 2 or so years all my meds cut all my health care cut tried to help son with school on my GI Bill shother down,my wife is on champ VA will not pay for her care I am at 12000 dollars out of pocket in last 2 years I want to do class action Law suit they steal billions allocated for us they are discrimnation against Veteran wit disabilities I’m 100% Gary Bradshaw jr contact me if you can help or want to put name in class action
Gary i am on it. It seems Ben hasn’t responded to all the leads i gave him. But hot Damn! Never knew he was a student and i had been dealing with the VA bowel movement status for years already. Medical and i can’t do dirty medical practices. I may now have had a TUB or stroke and no laughing matter in my life that i have dedicated to helping others let me call another and i will ask them to contact you in some way YES THE VA CAN DO MANY THINGS IN IT TRUST ME ON THIS ONE. HOCKEY IS A LIAR AND NOT DESERVING AT ALL SHE STOLE MONEYAND I THINK WE SHOULD EXAMINE THAT. WHAT SAY YOU?
DAMN THAT AUTO-CORRECT! Let me rephrase what is meant to be stated. BECAUSE OF IG HICKEY AND “HER TEAM OF LIARS AND DENIERS” I GOT A WONDERFUL CONVERSATION CAUGHT ON RECORDING. YOU SEE, FIBROMYALGIA AND SEVERE PAIN OFTEN CAUSES ME TO FORGET CONVERSATIONS SO “JUST FOR MY EARS ONLY” I DOWNLOADED AN APP FOR THAT FIX! WELL WELL, IF THERE IS A PLACE OR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN US, SOUNDS JUST LIKE MY AUNT WHO HAD PASSED ON LED THE PARTY OF THE DEARLY DEPARTED TO SAY “NOT THIS TIME!” NOT ONLY NEGLEGENCE BUT OUTRIGHT LIES FORMICATED INTO A MEDICAL RECORD.” PUT IN PERSPECTIVE? IT IS FOS. IT IS COMPLETELY ILLEGAL CHARTING AND DEFINITELY NOT MY DAMN STORY, SEEMS THEY JUST DID AS THEY SO PLEASED. WHISTLE BLOWER? “BRING IT I GOT GAME!” BET ME? WHAT? NEED ALL MY STUFF TO PROVE MY POINT? OH I GOT IT ALRIGHT AND DO NOT EVER MESS WITH AN HM WHO KNOWS HER HERITAGE! OH BY THE WAY “BEN, I WAS OFFERED A CHOICE CARD BY POTUS AND COULD SEE ANY DOCTOR I WANTED!” BULL HOCKEY! JUST FYI? THE PROVIDER MUST BE WILLING TO AGREE TO ACCEPT VA PAYMENT.” I AM A BIT SARCASTIC, YOU WAKE IT YOU DEAL WITH IT. BUT HOT DAMN DID THEY DO SOME MAJOR DAMAGE TO ME. TBI? SCREWED UP MY NECK? OH AND GIVE ME MY NIGHTMARE AND AN LSD TRIP! MY BACK? INJURED IN THE NAVY BUT I CANNOT FIX STUPID ALONE-“SO VETERANS GATHER AROUND THE CAMPFIRE AND TIME TO DO SOME MAJOR ROASTING!” GET ME? CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT, MEDICAL NEGLECT, OUTRIGHT LYING IN MEDICAL RECORDS AND GEE A GOOD DOCTOR WHO STATED “ENOUGH? SUE THE VA BECAUSE THIS IS B.S.!”
HICKEY DID NOT JUST DEFRAUD THE VETERANS COMMUNITY, SHE SIGNED OFF OR PLAIN OUTRIGHT STOLE TAX PAYERS HARD EARNED MONEY. “I TAKE OFFENSE TO THAT ONE, BECAUSE I AND ALL I KNOW PAY TAXES WE DON’T HAVE A SIX FIGURE PART TIME JOB AND THINK OF WAYS TO CONSTANTLY FUND DAMN WARS!” SUCK IT UP VA I AM COMING AFTER YOU INDEED!
HICKEY? SHE SHOULD BE PROSECUTED AND STRIPPED OF HER RANK AND RETIREMENT PRIVILEDGES. “A NARCISSTIC PERSON WHO IS LIKE PALIN ONLY WORSE, SHE HOLDS NO HONOR OF THE CODE TO HAND UP TO VETERANS IN NEED. DATE ME? HERITAGE? OH BACK I WENT AND HOT DAMN! “SECRETARY OF THE NAVY! HEY, THERE WAS WAY MORE THAN JUST THAT JAW DROP MOMENT BUT I REALLY DESPISE HOW “THE MENTALITY IS CONSTANT WARS AND WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED PLEASE?” LOADS OF TBI’S AND PTSD? JUST FYI BEN, 1991 I TOLD YOU WEST BANK NOLA, TBI STUDY AND A CLASS AND EDUCATING THE STAFF OF THE CLINIC TO EXPECT MORE TBI AND FOLLOWS WITH MANY WHO SUFFER FROM PTSD. SHALL WE DISCUSS PHATOM LIMB PAIN? GEE, GEORGIE PORGIE HAS NO PROBLEM STATING WHEN HE RIDES HIS BIKE WITH VETS AND MISSING LIMBS “IF IT DOESN’T BOTHER THEM THEN WHY SHOULD IT BOTHER ME?” YEAH, ANTI-CHRIST FOR ALL YOU CHRISTIANS, ASK MY ELDEST THAT DISCUSSION? MOM’S DO NOT SET OUT TO BE “RIGHT BUT TO SAY DO YOUR DAMN ADULT HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU VOTE!” GOT ME? FEEL ME? YOU DON’T HAVE TO, MY PLANS ARE IN PLACE TO DO A BIT MORE THAN SETTLE FOR LESS THAN “GET YOUR SHIT FIXED AND STOP THE BULL SHIT FEEDINGS ON YOUR BOXES YOU WATCH!” THINK HISTORY AND DAMN LOADS OF REPEATS! SO REPEAT SOMETHING ELSE IS MY STANCE. “NOW, WHAT COULD THAT POSSIBLY BE?” CALL ME A LIAR? SAY IT TO MY FACE PLEASE BECAUSE HAPPY I SHALL BE TO CORRECT YOUR MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE REALITY I FACED WITH THE SHIT FOR BRAINS DUCKS THAT SWIM IN MY CREEK!”
THEY DO TAP YOUR PHONES, REMOVE WHAT THEY THINK YOU HAVE NOT COPIED, THEY DO BULLY YOU AND DUMB AND DUMBER ISN’T ME BUT YOUR QUACK QUACKS WHO RUN THE VA FROM TOP DOG TO THE TRICKLE DOWN “ECONOMICS OF FAVORS AND BONUSES ACROSS MANY STATES!”
“EYES WIDE OPEN AND MIND AS METHODICAL MORE THAN ONE CAN IMAGINE, SO “HERO BRASS IS A ZERO BRASS WHO DID A TREASONOUS ACT AGAINST ALL WHISTLE BLOWERS, NOT JUST VA WORKER BEES!”
When VA directors give themselves bonuses for screwing vets and masturbating I doubt if they any left for us. I learned from going to my US CONGRESSMAN and SENATOR not to ask for help getting my sleep meds I’m illegally forced to pay for. As McDonald is concerned we all knew where he was coming from when he called thugs and criminals heroes along with real hard working heroes selflessly doing their job at the VA. I think these politicians are afraid to really take down the criminals in the VA it must be “politically incorrect” somehow
A flag is a warning to go after these trouble maker’s. Its a hit list.
Flag is never used in a positive manner.it’s a warning!
No one is safe Veterans or those who.stand up for veterans. All VA heads or all management needs to go and start a new.
There are many college educated people.who know how to run an effective business and new regulations and procedures in hiring veterans need to be implemented.
All of us are probably being spied on by the VA. Our elected officials are either stupid or just don’t give a shit about veterans or this country.
It is likely that these e-mail’s are being “diverted” to the Insider Threat Group of the VA. Each federal agency since 2011 after Eric Snowden – developed an Insider Threat Group Task Force which was initially created by the DoD. The group consists of Counterintelligence Agents, Criminal Investigators and Intelligence Officers. It was designed to detect, identify and neutralize employees who are showing signs of conducting spying activities, subversion, acts of terrorism or sabotage against the government.
Recently, Insider Threat Groups are used by senior officials as they tip-off the Agents, Investigators and Officers about an employee of theirs that has really become a thorn in their side. However, they write up reports that make it appear as if the employee is a threat to National Security or Public Safety. Agents, Investigators and Officers usually know nothing of the employee – and therefore have only the tip-off report from a senior official to go on. As such, they must conduct an Inquiry or Investigation into the employee. Depending on how high up or connected the senior official is, usually depends on how much fuel they can add to the firestorm of the investigative process against the employee.
An employee may have been a stellar worker – but is now labeled a “threat”, which also means administrative actions are taken against them and other measures will be conducted by senior officials to “dirty-up” the employee in an effort to discredit them in order to make their future testimony seem worthless or to discourage them from continuing their crusade to bring justice into a workplace consumed by corruption.
Agents, Investigators and Officers usually work the case against the employee very hard and it is nearly impossible for the employee to convince the Insider Threat Group that they are a victim and that they have the agency and the nation’s best interest at heart. For most employees, it is like quicksand – once you step into it, the only way out is by quitting the agency or hanging on for months or years which often means more abuse and retaliation against you, your career and your family. If you quit, the problem doesn’t end because the Insider Threat Group will mark your files and make it nearly impossible for you to work for the federal government again by secretly maintaining a joint investigative file on you or flagging your file which holds your security clearance – meaning that you will now be denied a security clearance and may never discover why.
For those who work on the Insider Threat Group – they never know if the person they are working against is a real threat or someone that senior officials have targeted in an effort to hide corruption within their organization. For the unlucky employee who was simply trying to right the wrongs in their agency – their is little they stand little chance as an individual fighting against a bureaucracy of Agents, Investigators, Officers, Lawyers and Administrative staff who are acting against you (usually in secret) while denying your due process rights or any rights to an appeal.
Therefore, the diversion of these VA files is really something that senior officials are now resorting to like other DoD and DHS agencies in an effort to “zip the lips” of those who are reaching out and sounding off about problems within their agency.
All True. But we have to continue
What kind of nitwit at VAHQ is so ignorant of whistle blower protection that they think it is appropriate to forward copies of emails sent to McDonald back to their supervisor?
Denying medical leave requests is not retaliation?
It’s certainly not crap its the truth I was in the middle of that mess 25 years I can vouch for it always has gone on and it still continues to go on no matter how much they deny it,, it’s an embedded culture that has been going on for years and no one takes the time or the oversight or accountability to change this culture. My motto is show me don’t tell me and they’re not showing me a whole lot of anything as of yet!! The same message still going on at the VA I worked although I’m retired I hear from coworkers that it is still a mess the same thing still going on double waitlist hiding things Secret clicks corruption,etc all phone calls are monitored all email and every keystroke is monitored yes they can definitely target the whistleblowers without it being obvious they’re just being sneakier about it now.SOS different day same tune!!!@
I would think employees having their emails separately targeted and flagged as “priority” would be notified of that, or at least could say, “yes, I sent this email, and they responded within 1 or 2 hours so it must be flagged as a priority”.
Congress could easily investigate this by subpoenaing every complete email with headers that was diverted to show who sent it, and who all received it. They could also demand any emails from officials receiving those emails which would show what actions they took when receiving them. Further, Congress could demand documentation on what actions are already being taken to “assist” this whistleblower since they want to claim they were simply flagging them as priorities for them to address.
Question is, does Congress finally want to get serious about the VA repeatedly violating federal whistleblower protection law?
Given VAs history of expending so much effort to go after whistleblowers, their claim that this was simply flagging them for priority action is complete and utter bullshit.
@91Veteran
Congress, in my opinion, is a waste of time. They have shown, many times now, their not going to do anything except talk.
They have power to stop the corruption, waste and abuse. Yet do nothing.
Why is it they don’t force VA in upper management “WHO THE BOSS REALLY IS?”
Can’t they force the DOJ into action? Or why?
Is Congress getting in on all that money VA received?
I’d go further but I believe y’all get where I’m going!!
I don’t know what it is crazy elf, shocking incompetence, not having the right staff, total indifference. What is even more shocking is the almost total silence of supposed, veterans service organizations like the VFW, DAV and Legion. In the past when much less illegal acts like this were taken, there would be hearings by both the House and Senate VA committees, the service organizations would all appear and give their limp-wristed testimony, the VA would be scrambling, the media would be reporting and there might even be a comment or two from the WH.
I have never seen the pissants in Congress so uninterested they can’t even put on a show hearing for a little TV face time.
It’s like they have completely given up on doing their jobs, or have no fear of ever losing their jobs, or know they will never have to worry about feeding themselves if they lose their job.
MacD and storm trooper Gibson have turned the VA into a Hitler style society within a society………….burn the books, stop free speech, put the illiterate in charge and spy on your subordinates……..Why hasn’t someone come up with a reality show for this shit, the script is endless and unbelievable.
Do y’all remember the “Toilet Bowl Flush” acronym I used a few months ago? Well, looks like it’s more accurate for the ‘blogs’ of the past few days.
What do y’all think? First Gibson’s “CRAP” definition and now the “SPY” edition!
Seems we’re being stuck in a “MAD Magazine” skit!
Yep! I am also thinking that “The Establishment” might be very nervous about the Presidential Election looming….we can only hope because it’s beyond armpit-high wading boots for all the VA’s Spin Machine CRAP they are extruding and the ensuing ‘smoke-screen’, aka, big fart.
Did you look at that Stripes article from yesterday where McD said *yesterday* he has already fired *2,600 VA Employees* in past 18 months?
I would like to see a breakdown of those numbers and see how many of these supposedly fired, were in fact Veterans working very part time basement and other jobs through external programs for homeless or if McD’s numbers are just CRAP?
The fact the VA is playing ‘SPY” does not surprise me one bit and do not think it’s new either. The fact that the VA Whistleblowers are earmarked for ‘diversion’ is more than likely code for “collection”. It’s clear violation of Whistleblower Protections and would go as far as stating it’s hostile harassment in a ‘stalking’ kind of way.
Remember the movie called “The Firm”? There you have it…on steroids.
@namnibor
Yep, I read a number of articles, from different sources, concerning that “CRAP” McDonald was trying to pull.
During that Committee Meeting yesterday, one of the Reps basically called McDonald a liar on each item he spoke about!
I too would like to see a breakdown on these “alleged firings” he did! I believe they were probably temperary (part-time) workers, or they were employees who have not completed their mandatory probationary period! Just like when Shinseki claimed he “fired thousands of employees!” Remember that lie?!
The GOP is now “backing Trump”! They see, first hand, how much the “Silent Majority” has become pissed at what our government officials have screwed up for decades! And they know the “Silent Majority” isn’t going to take the “CRAP” any longer.
I truely believe there are some holdouts trying to keep the “Status Quo” (mostly Dumbocrats and Socialists which have entrenched themselves) in power. Yet, their time is slowly coming to an end!
I believe, BEFORE the end of 2016, there will be demonstrations which will make the demonstrations of the ’60’ & early 70’s seem like childs play!
Here’s another prediction. Trump is surging in just about every state. Now, if Trump wins the GOP Nomination, and the election (Nov) with a commanding lead. And if the “Electoral College” puts someone else in as POTUS!
I believe there will be a “Third Revolution” equal to the one in 1776 & 1812-15!
I guess we need to know just how Sloan Gibson and The VA have redefined the word “crap”.
Could it mean: C-reative, R-etaliation , A-gainst, P-ersonnel = C.R.A.P.???
Or, another fitting favorite acronym for CRAP: Criticism, Rejection, Assholes & Pressure?
Both acronyms are apropos for the VA.
The e-mail address is secvainquiry at va dot gov for patients and former employees. Let me know which Congress office is investigating because the OIG is aware as well because I cc’d that e-mail address to them. LOL
Congress has a committee on the VA.
https://republicans-veteranforms.house.gov/forms/writethecommittee/
contact form is here.