Federal Reports

In response to congressional requests, the OIG investigated allegations of misconduct by the VA Secretary and senior leaders regarding a veteran’s complaint that she had been sexually assaulted at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. Requests included determining whether VA officials investigated or sought to undermine the veteran’s credibility.The OIG found that senior VA officials questioned the veteran’s credibility within hours of her complaint and expressed their views publicly when the criminal investigation closed without charges. Despite the inspector general’s caution not to infer the allegations lacked merit, VA mischaracterized the veteran’s allegations as “unsubstantiated” to nine media outlets. Senior officials’ initial engagement reportedly created pressure on VA police, who conducted a background check on the veteran before one on the individual she accused.However, the OIG did not identify conclusive evidence to support or refute that Secretary Wilkie investigated or asked others to investigate the veteran due to conflicting and unavailable witness testimony and limitations on tracking records access. Six senior officials did testify they heard the Secretary state the veteran made, or may have made, prior similar complaints. A senior official asked a journalist to look into whether the veteran had done this before, based on a comment the Secretary made. Officials testified the Secretary’s remarks implied prior complaints were unfounded. Other senior officials could not recall such statements, and the Secretary denied investigating the veteran, questioning her credibility, or knowing whether she had made prior complaints.The OIG told VA leaders following the criminal investigation they could take administrative action and suggested they review VA police files. VA’s files indicated the individual accused had a criminal history and prior complaint of sexual harassment. The OIG found leaders did not follow up or ensure the medical center had been implementing VA’s anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault efforts.

In response to congressional requests, the OIG investigated allegations of misconduct by the VA Secretary and senior leaders regarding a veteran’s complaint that she had been sexually assaulted at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. Requests included determining whether VA officials investigated or sought to undermine the veteran’s credibility.The OIG found that senior VA officials questioned the veteran’s credibility within hours of her complaint and expressed their views publicly when the criminal investigation closed without charges. Despite the inspector general’s caution not to infer the allegations lacked merit, VA mischaracterized the veteran’s allegations as “unsubstantiated” to nine media outlets. Senior officials’ initial engagement reportedly created pressure on VA police, who conducted a background check on the veteran before one on the individual she accused.However, the OIG did not identify conclusive evidence to support or refute that Secretary Wilkie investigated or asked others to investigate the veteran due to conflicting and unavailable witness testimony and limitations on tracking records access. Six senior officials did testify they heard the Secretary state the veteran made, or may have made, prior similar complaints. A senior official asked a journalist to look into whether the veteran had done this before, based on a comment the Secretary made. Officials testified the Secretary’s remarks implied prior complaints were unfounded. Other senior officials could not recall such statements, and the Secretary denied investigating the veteran, questioning her credibility, or knowing whether she had made prior complaints.The OIG told VA leaders following the criminal investigation they could take administrative action and suggested they review VA police files. VA’s files indicated the individual accused had a criminal history and prior complaint of sexual harassment. The OIG found leaders did not follow up or ensure the medical center had been implementing VA’s anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault efforts.

To determine whether Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients were potentially eligible for childhood disability benefits (CDB) under the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program.

This report presents the results of our self-initiated audit of property conditions at the Annapolis (leased), Columbia (owned), and Legion Avenue (leased) post offices in the Baltimore District. This audit was designed to provide Postal Service management with timely information on potential risks related to property conditions. The Postal Service is required to maintain a safe and healthy environment for both employees and customers in accordance with its internal policies and procedures and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety laws. Our objective was to determine if Postal Service management is adhering to building maintenance, safety and security standards, and employee working condition requirements at post offices.

The OIG investigated allegations that a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) employee sexually assaulted another BLM employee while off duty.We found insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation, and further investigation is unlikely to produce additional evidence. The alleged victim did not have any memory of an assault but also denied being drugged or otherwise incapacitated; the alleged wrongdoer claimed that they had consensual sex. The employee did not file a police report, and the local prosecutor’s office declined prosecution.

The Office of the Inspector General conducted a review of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant (SQN) Radiation Protection (RP) organization to identify factors that could impact SQN RP’s organizational effectiveness. While we identified certain behavioral attributes that had a positive impact on SQN RP, we also identified behavioral risks that could have a negative impact SQN RP’s effectiveness. Specifically, these risks related to (1) relationships between individuals and (2) interactions with certain management. In addition, while we identified certain positive operational factors, we also identified operational risks which could hinder SQN RP’s ability to execute its responsibilities and support Nuclear’s vision and core principles. These risks related to (1) sampling for tritium and (2) training.

Annual Audit Plan for 2021