Administrative Investigation Abuse of Authority and Preferential Treatment, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia

We substantiated that Ms. Rebecca Wiley, Director of the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, abused her authority when she improperly applied a title 38 hiring authority, against the advice of XXXXX to appoint a former Congressional staff employee to a VA position. Ms. Wiley used improper statutory authority and circumvented the competitive hiring process. In addition, the method and timing of her actions created the appearance of preferential treatment toward a XXXXX only days before a public ceremony, attended by Senators, Members of Congress, congressional staff, as well as local and state officials, renaming the Augusta VA Medical Center after the deceased Congressman.