Small chunks of information in the VA OIG investigative report, released on Sept. 30, 2012, reveal a great deal about the dysfunctional management of the VA at the highest levels.

In FY 2011, 15 VA employees received cash awards for their “efforts contributing to the success of the conference.”  The names of all but two employees have been redacted from the public release.

From Exhibit 15, page 77.

A table shows that 2 employees received $5,500; 3 received $3,000; 1 received $4,000; 2 received $2,500; 4 received $2,000, 2 received $1,5000 and 1 received $749.00.  Three employees received time-off with cash values.

The 4K went to an employee who was commended for his work on the $49,516 Patton parody, a video which OIG considered a completely wasteful expenditure.  The 3K award went to an employee who bought a karaoke machine with his” own money” according to a note.  What a guy! How can you have a proper HR training without a little Disney sing-along to enhance the experience?

Paying cash to VA staffers for planning lavish parties in the sunshine state was wrong; the whole 6M+event was wrong.

Instead, perhaps VA-sponsored trips to Vietnam’s Cu-Chi Tunnels, Normany, or Auschwitz, would have actually helped employees serve Veterans better.  What other sites could they visit (U. S. or abroad) and actually learn something important about veterans, war, freedom, and sacrifices?