Administrative Investigation Preferential Treatment, Improper Travel Vouchers, Misuse of Resources, and Interference with an OIG Investigation Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System

We substantiated that Dr. Robert Ratliff, Director, VA Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System, currently the Birmingham VA Medical Center Interim Director, improperly influenced the selection of an applicant, thereby engaging in preferential treatment; the XXXXX improperly hired the applicant; and the applicant received an improper relocation incentive. Dr. Ratliff submitted improper travel vouchers when he sought mileage reimbursement for his personal indirect travel associated with his official travel, misused his VA-issued Blackberry for personal calls, and improperly erased his VA-issued computer hard drive while under investigation. Ms. Shirley Bealer, CAVHCS Acting Director, interfered with our investigation when she told employees to provide her information about our investigation and when she provided detailed information to Dr. Ratliff.