In a hearing that stretched until almost 1 am, it was a familiar story line before the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Monday night - but from a different part of the VA - as another panel of whistleblowers detailed how they raised questions about troubles inside the agency, only to face retaliation for sending their concerns to their superiors.
"They were instructing us to change the dates on claims, on any claims," said Kristin Ruell, a VA employee in the Philadelphia benefits office, a charge that seemed much like the data manipulation dealing with delays in medical appointments for veterans, which in this case would make it look like the VA was dealing with veterans claims more swiftly than what was really happening.
Ruell said it was very obvious that VA bosses did not appreciate any whistleblowing reports on veterans benefits claims.
"After my last whistleblowing attempt, my name was forwarded to the people I reported," Ruell said, adding that the next morning, "my car was dented."
"I feel like there is a culture of corruption at the VA," said Ruell.
Another worker detailed how just six days after raising questions about the accuracy of veterans claims work, he was fired from his job at a VA office in St. Petersburg, Florida.
"I was terminated because my services were no longer required," said Javier Soto, who told lawmakers he never given a reason why he was fired.
"Any employee that complains is met with severe consequences," said Soto.
But there was more.
While using the bathroom at the Philly VA office, one of the staffers saw a note pad sitting by the sink - on it were the names of the staffers, with notations that they should be ignored - and more.
"The Acting Director was in possession of a note upon which was written "ignore" my staff," said a clearly aggravated Miller.
"I really find this offensive," added Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN).
If you look closely at the note, you can see the name of one of the whistleblowers from the Philadelphia facility - "Ruell" - who testified last night.
It also uses the word 'ignore' and 'arrogance' - along with another word that seems to refer to the human posterior.
"You will not ignore this committee," Miller commanded.
"What occurred on that day was unacceptable," said Allison Hickey, the head of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
But when pressed about it, Hickey did not indicate that any VA personnel were disciplined for what amounted to running interference against the Congressional investigators.
Soto lost his job on June 30 - 17 days after the current Acting VA Secretary had publicly called on the VA to stop any reprisals against whistleblowers inside the agency.
Lawmakers accuse VA of impeding Congressional investigation
After the panel of whistleblowers finished their testimony, officials from the Veterans Benefits Administration were blasted by lawmakers over how two Congressional staffers were treated during a recent site visit.
The staffers from the House Veterans Affairs Committee arrived for an unannounced visit, and were were sent to a different than usual room to conduct their site review.
"This room was found to be wired, with activated microphones and an activated camera," said Chairman Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), who said he found the effort 'shocking' - as did others.
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