IG Issues "Scathing" Reports On VA Technology Office Employees.   The AP (8/21, Hefling) reports, "Thousands of technology office employees at the Veterans Affairs Department received a total of $24 million in bonuses over a two-year period, some under questionable circumstances, the agency's inspector general said in scathing reports that also detail abuses ranging from nepotism to an inappropriate relationship." The "details on the alleged improprieties were in two IG reports issued this week. VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts said the agency was extremely concerned about the IG's findings and would pursue a thorough review," while "Indiana Rep. Steve Buyer, top Republican" on the House Veterans Affairs committee, "urged quick action to fix the problems."
A slightly different version of this AP (8/21) story begins by stating, "Outside the Veterans Affairs Department, severely wounded veterans have faced financial hardship waiting for their first disability payment. Inside, money has been flowing in the form of $24 million in bonuses." The lead item in the Los Angeles Times' (8/21) "National Briefing" column also takes note of the bonuses.
NextGov (8/21, Nagesh) reports, "A VA spokesman issued the following statement about the reports: 'VA is aware of the findings detailed in the OIG reports,'" and "we are extremely concerned by the descriptions of alleged improper conduct by VA staff. The department is aggressively pursuing a thorough review of the situation and will continue to work with the appropriate authorities. VA does not condone misconduct by its employees and will take the appropriate corrective action for those who violate VA policy." Meanwhile, in his "What's Brewin'" blog for NextGov (8/20), Bob Brewin emphasized "that these reports have nothing to do with the current VA IT management."
Impact: Inspector General, Technology office employees

VA Awards $8.8 Million For Washington State Veterans Cemetery.   The Puget Sound (WA) Business Journal (8/21) reports, "A planned veterans' cemetery in Eastern Washington has been given an $8.8 million award" by the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs. The "Washington State Veterans Cemetery will be located in Medical Lake, 15 miles southwest of Spokane." Washington "has only one other veterans' cemetery in the state."
Work Said To Have Begun On Cemetery's First Phase.   The Spokane (WA) Journal Of Business (8/21, McLean) reports, "Bouten Construction Co., of Spokane, has started work on the $9.5 million first phase of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery-Medical Lake, says Richard Cesler, the cemetery's director." The facility "is slated to open next Memorial Day."
Impact: Eastern Washington Veterans cemetery

Vets Find Fun, Inspiration At Wheelchair Games.   South Carolina's Horry Independent (8/21, Newlands) profiles Judy Overholt, "one of 600 disabled veterans -- four of them from South Carolina -- to participate in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games" last month. According to the Independent, Overholt "had a terrific time" at the event. The Auburn (WA) Reporter (8/21, Skager), meanwhile, profiles Patrick Carpenter, a peer counselor at the VA hospital in Seattle, who, after retiring four years ago, "attended his first National Veterans Wheelchair Games. 'I got to do so many things that I never thought I'd do,' he said. 'They have adapted so many sports so that disabled people in wheelchairs could do them.'" The Reporter adds, "Inspired by the annual event, Carpenter" joined "Rolling Thunder, a power soccer team in the Puget Sound area."
Impact: Auburn, WA Veteran, National Wheelchair Games