Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
There may have been a very good reason for them relieving 2 lower level managers but why couldn't they just hire someone new from the outside, is this such a specialty that only they could fit into the position.
They not only assumed postitions with less responsibility but they were also compsensated $400,000 in moving expenses, this makes no financial sense.
If they worked for a private compnay they would answer the questions or be fired, federal government is a different story.
Quote:
By MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two high-ranking officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs refused to testify Monday night at a congressional hearing on allegations that they manipulated the agency's hiring system for their own gain.
The officials, Diana Rubens and Kimberly Graves, told a House committee they were asserting their Fifth Amendment rights under the Constitution to protect themselves against self-incrimination.
The VA's acting inspector general said in a report that Rubens and Graves forced lower-ranking regional managers to accept job transfers against their will. Rubens and Graves then stepped into the vacant positions themselves, keeping their pay while reducing their responsibilities, the IG said.
Rubens and Graves kept their salaries of $181,497 and $173,949, respectively, even though the new positions they took as directors at regional offices in Philadelphia and St. Paul had less responsibility and a lower pay range than their previous positions. Rubens was a deputy undersecretary at the VA's Washington headquarters, while Graves was director of VBA's Eastern Region.
There may have been a very good reason for them relieving 2 lower level managers but why couldn't they just hire someone new from the outside, is this such a specialty that only they could fit into the position.
They not only assumed postitions with less responsibility but they were also compsensated $400,000 in moving expenses, this makes no financial sense.
If they worked for a private compnay they would answer the questions or be fired, federal government is a different story.
Despite a growing budget of $165.6 billion (larger than the combined budgets of the Department of Transportation and the Office of Personnel Management) and an army of 323,000 staff (larger than the Marine Corps), it still takes months for most VA facilities to deliver both primary and specialty care to America’s veterans.
So when people say VA is underfunded, I really don't know what they are talking about. It is the leadership problem, not funding problem.
$400,000 in questionable moving expenses - are you serious?
Rubens and Graves kept their salaries of $181,497 and $173,949, respectively, even though the new positions they took as directors at regional offices in Philadelphia and St. Paul had less responsibility and a lower pay range than their previous positions.
Meanwhile, many veterans, especially the combat veterans suffer. To me personally, The poor treatment of veterans has nothing to do with funding and everything to do with administrative incompetence combined with craven deceit.
Rubens and Graves kept their salaries of $181,497 and $173,949, respectively, even though the new positions they took as directors at regional offices in Philadelphia and St. Paul had less responsibility and a lower pay range than their previous positions.
It reminds me of Branch Rickey's statement on Ralph Kiners salary negotiations "we finished last with you, we can finish last without you".
Still can't get over the fact that they can't even answer basic questions with those types of responsibilities and salaries, how do they come close to justifing these expenses. Same as the GSA debacle, here is where I agree with Rubio, these people should be fired.
It reminds me of Branch Rickey's statement on Ralph Kiners salary negotiations "we finished last with you, we can finish last without you".
Still can't get over the fact that they can't even answer basic questions with those types of responsibilities and salaries, how do they come close to justifing these expenses. Same as the GSA debacle, here is where I agree with Rubio, these people should be fired.
Time to eliminate the VA and give our veterans something superior but similar to Medicare.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
