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Administrative Investigation – VA Secretary and Delegation Travel to Europe

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
17-05909-106
VA Office
Office of the Secretary (SVA)
Report Author
Office of Investigations
Report Type
Administrative Investigation
Recommendations
5
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) received an anonymous complaint alleging that Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin and other senior leaders misused VA funds by taking an official July 2017 trip to Europe for more personal than official activities. Secretary Shulkin traveled with a group that included senior VA leaders, his wife, and a six-member security detail. The 11-day trip included two extensive travel days and three-and-a-half days of official events—with a cost to VA of at least $122,334. The VA delegation had a day-and-a-half of meetings with Danish veterans’ healthcare officials and experts in Copenhagen and attended the Ministerial Summit on Veterans’ Affairs in London. Secretary Shulkin stated that he also worked on VA matters when there were no official functions. The group’s schedule, however, included significant time for preplanned tourist activities by Secretary Shulkin, his wife, and others on the delegation. After a thorough investigation, OIG’s findings included (1) the Chief of Staff’s alteration of a document and misrepresentations to ethics officials caused Secretary Shulkin’s wife to be approved as an “invitational traveler,” which authorized VA to pay her travel costs (although only airfare was claimed); (2) Secretary Shulkin improperly accepted a gift of Wimbledon tickets and related hospitality; (3) a VA employee’s time was misused as a personal travel concierge to plan tourist activities exceeding that necessary for security arrangements; and (4) travelers’ documentation was inadequate to determine the trip’s full costs to VA. The OIG did not assess the value of the trip to VA or determine whether the Europe travel, as conducted, was “essential,” per VA policy. The OIG made five recommendations to ensure reimbursement to VA by the travelers of all unallowable expenses incurred; redress of any VA employee misconduct; and retraining of VA personnel on ethics and travel policy matters.

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)
Secretary Shulkin reimburses the $4,312 paid by VA to cover Dr. Bari’s travel costs.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
Secretary Shulkin consults with the Office of General Counsel to determine the value of the Wimbledon tickets; grounds pass; and any food, parking, and other tangible benefits Ms. Gosling provided in connection with Wimbledon and reimburse that amount to her. If Ms. Gosling declines to accept reimbursement, Secretary Shulkin reimburses such amount to the US Treasury.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs confers with the Offices of General Counsel, Human Resources, and Accountability and Whistleblower Protection to determine the appropriate administrative action to take, if any, against Ms. Wright Simpson and any other individuals associated with the Europe trip.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs ensures that a thorough audit is conducted of the expense vouchers, travel authorizations, and the time and attendance records for all travelers on the Europe trip. Any overpayments should be reimbursed to VA by the traveler and any required leave adjustments should be made. Detailed results of the audits, including supporting documentation, shall be provided to the Office of Inspector General no later than thirty days following the publication of this report.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of the Secretary (SVA)
The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs ensures that the Office of General Counsel (i) reviews and enhances the training provided to staff on travel planning, approvals, and the solicitation or acceptance of gifts; and (ii) provides refresher training on these topics to all travelers on the Europe trip as well as all staff involved in the planning and implementation of the trip.