Veteran Affairs “fires” a man for the scandal who is already retiring

  It has been quite awhile since there was any update in the Veteran Affairs scandal which was worth mentioning but today that changed. It is now being reported that the Veteran Affairs office has announced it has recommended John S. Goldman to be fired for his role in the scandal.

Here is more:

“Yesterday, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposed removal of the Director of the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center (CVVAMC) in Dublin, Georgia, following an investigation by the VA Office of Inspector General, and a follow-up review by the Office of Accountability Review (OAR), in which allegations of data manipulation were substantiated,” the press release stated.

“The proposed removal of the director underscores VA’s commitment to hold leaders accountable and get Veterans the care they need,” the release continued. “Relying on new statutory authority, the Deputy Secretary  took this action in coordination with OAR, which reports directly to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.”

  There is only one small problem with this announcement, Mr. Goldman has already announced his planned retirement. House Committee on Veterans Affairs chairman Rep. Jeff Miller this news to be rather insulting, here is part of what he had to say.

“Bragging about the proposed removal of someone who has already announced his retirement can only be described as disingenuous. Department leaders must not tolerate this instance of what appears to be blatant deceit,” Miller said. “Such semantic sleights of hand are insulting to the families struck by the VA scandal and only do more harm to the department’s badly damaged credibility.”

  I agree with this statement, firing somebody who is already retiring seems to be nothing more than a charade. However it could still be legitimate; if Mr. Goldman is stripped of his pension and whatever other retirement benefits he would otherwise be entitled to it would show that the higher ups in the Veteran Affairs office are indeed serious about holding somebody accountable for the scandal. Anything less is unacceptable.