Subject: More trouble in Arizona
From: "Danielle Brian, Project On Government Oversight" <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2014 07:00:11 -0500

http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/R?i=aIU_6KH-4KeD4dUgpb3P6w

Dear John,

Here at POGO, we've spent months reviewing more than 800 complaints about the Department of Veterans Affairs, and now we are starting to see results.

Last week, POGO sent a letter based on those complaints to the acting secretary of the VA detailing a culture of fear and retaliation for those who dared to voice concerns about wrongdoing.

One example we included was that of a Palo Alto VA pharmacy technician supervisor who reported that "patients are suffering, literally suffering, from the unconscionable errors and delays in the care they receive" to Elizabeth Freeman, director of the Palo Alto VA Health Care System. Freeman later put the whistleblower on paid administrative leave, and he was simultaneously ordered not to speak out.

Now, Freeman has been appointed the interim director of the VA's troubled Southwest Health Care Network based in Arizona.

In direct response to POGO's letter, the entire Arizona House delegation has called on the VA to conduct an investigation into the allegations that Freeman retaliated against a VA whistleblower.

It's inspiring to see our work ignite strong, bipartisan support for an investigation to protect whistleblowers. Can you make a donation today so that we can continue this vital work?
http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/R?i=sDLOuo4e9qPq6DDiCA3y3w

In the last couple months, more people have contacted POGO about problems at the VA than have ever contacted us on any other single issue in our 33-year history. POGO's phone continues to ring with stories from current and former VA employees and veterans, and we are tirelessly following up on the many leads we've received.

Please consider supporting our work so that we can continue to investigate whistleblower reports and advocate for stronger whistleblower protections.
http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/R?i=o2WBv3lr99DCih-83LU6tw

Sincerely,

Danielle Brian
Executive Director

http://getinvolved.pogo.org/site/R?i=UeevndMmWxdgOsFyNLf6Wg

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