Veterans Affairs gave nearly $11 million meant for recruitment and retention to top executives: Watchdog
By
Elaine Mallon
May 9, 2024 6:40 pm
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Funds earmarked to recruit and retain staff for critical shortage positions within Veterans Affairs were inappropriately used to pay more than 180 senior executives bonuses worth almost $11 million last year, a new report revealed.
VA Undersecretary for Health Shereef Elnahal signed off on bonuses for 148 executives averaging more than $60,000, according to the 92-page report from Inspector General Michael Missal’s office. Joshua Jacobs, who leads the Veterans Benefits Administration, gave away an additional 34 bonuses worth $50,000 to top-level executives.
At least seven executives received more than $100,000 in bonuses, but Elnahal reportedly did not inform Secretary Denis McDonough of the extent of the payments. It wasn’t until last September that VA Secretary Denis McDonough learned of the payments and then ordered all of the executives to repay the VA. However, Missal found that most had already spent their checks, and some were challenging the order.
“The missteps … clearly had the potential to damage the confidence placed in VA by veterans, employees, taxpayers, and members of Congress,” the report said.
Neither Elnahal nor Jacobs, appointed by the Biden administration last year, analyzed whether the bonuses were earned, per the report, nor was there any document or data showing that these executives were at risk of quitting, for the turnover rate for top executives was just 2.4%.
more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/2998711/veterans-affairs-11-million-recruitment-retention-top-executives/
