(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – In a development likely to spike political tensions ahead of the 2024 election, reports have revealed that VA employees shamefully breached the medical privacy of vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz, sparking a federal investigation.
This audacious violation by at least twelve staff members challenges the integrity of our veterans’ records.
Both campaigns were promptly informed of this outrageous misconduct.
The Justice Department is investigating reports that employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) illegally accessed the health records of vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance.
These intrusions were first reported by The Washington Post.
Both Walz and Vance, who have served in the military, are undoubtedly outraged by this invasion of privacy.
Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years, while Vance served four years in the Marine Corps.
The accessed records reportedly included their medical files but did not involve disability or other benefits information.
VA press secretary Terrence Hayes stated that the issue was referred to Justice Department investigators immediately upon discovery, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough expressed the institution’s strict policies on protecting veterans’ records, asserting that any improper access is unacceptable.
A memo he sent in August reiterated the importance of following privacy rules and warned that failure to comply could result in disciplinary action, including removal and potential civil and criminal penalties.
Despite these stringent regulations, the actions of the VA employees suggest a blatant disregard for such policies.
“We take the privacy of the veterans we serve very seriously and have strict policies in place to protect their records. Any attempt to improperly access veteran records by VA personnel is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” McDonough said, cited by The Military Times.
The VA’s inspector general has shared evidence with federal prosecutors, including details about a physician and a contractor involved in the breach.
The motive for accessing the records remains under investigation, and it is unclear if the information was shared.
These staffers accessed the records using VA computers, mostly from their government offices, leading to a serious breach of trust and security.
Interestingly, this marks the first time since 1996 that veterans have been both parties’ vice presidential nominees.
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