Administrative Investigation, Failure to Properly Supervise, Misuse of Official Time and Resources, and Prohibited Personnel Practice, VA Center for Innovation, VA Central Office

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
13-01488-86
VISN
State
District of Columbia
Tennessee
District
VA Office
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Report Author
Office of Investigations
Report Type
Administrative Investigation
Recommendations
16
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The former (resigned) Director of VA’s Center for Innovation did not properly detail and supervise a GS-12 VBA Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR), which led to the RVSR misusing official time, unauthorized travel, misusing about $31,000 in travel funds, misusing a VA position and resources, and installing unapproved software to a VA laptop for sexting. The former Director also engaged in a prohibited personnel practice when he pressured VBA officials to create a non-competitive GS-13/14 position to give preference to and promote the RVSR; however, he intentionally did not tell the VBA officials of an ongoing OIG investigation of the RVSR for misconduct so that they could make fully informed decisions. Further, VBA officials engaged in a prohibited personnel practice when they failed to make proper considerations in their personnel decisions and created a position to promote the RVSR without question and solely due to the former Director’s request.

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff ensure that VBA conducts a review of all RVSRs to ensure that any not performing the functions of their position are either properly detailed or returned to their RVSR duties.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with the Office of Human Resources and Administration (OHRA) and the Office of General Counsel (OGC) to determine the appropriate administrative action, if any, to take against Mr. Bramlage.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with the OHRA and OGC to determine the appropriate administrative action, if any, to take against Ms. Yeary.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with the OHRA and OGC to determine the appropriate administrative action, if any, to take against Ms. Mullins.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff ensure that Mr. Bramlage, Ms. Yeary, and Ms. Mullins receive appropriate refresher training in supervisory responsibilities for official travel, performance standards, and appraisals.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with OHRA and OGC to determine the appropriate administrative action, if any, to take against Mr. Moore.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff ensure that Mr. Moore is issued a bill of collection for $30,990.29 to reimburse VA for a misuse of travel funds.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff ensure that Mr. Moore's time and attendance between March and October 2012 is corrected and that he is charged the appropriate annual and sick leave for that time.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff ensure that the total amount paid to Mr. Moore for the 20 instances that he was absent without authorization be determined and that Mr. Moore is issued a bill of collection for that amount, since he cannot receive pay for the time that he was absent without authorization.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff ensure that the Information Security Officer with oversight for Mr. Moore's VA-issued equipment, to include his laptop and cellular telephone, examine that equipment to remove any unauthorized software and/or content.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff ensure that all VACI employees, to include any detailed or assigned to VACI from other organizations, receive refresher training on Federal travel regulations and VA travel policy.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with OHRA and OGC to determine the appropriate administrative action, if any, to take concerning the prohibited personnel practice and Mr. Moore's promotion.
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with OHRA and OGC to determine the appropriate administrative action, if any, to take against Mr. Holly.
No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with OHRA and OGC to determine the appropriate administrative action, if any, to take against Mr. Buchanan.
No. 15
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with OHRA and OGC to determine the appropriate administrative action, if any, to take against Mr. Thompson.
No. 16
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with OHRA and OGC to determine the appropriate administrative action, if any, to take against Mr. Carroll.