VA workers given millions in bonuses as vets await checks
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/08/22/veterans.affairs.bonuses/art.vasign.gi.jpg caption=" Lawmakers want to know why some IT workers in the VA Department have received millions in bonuses."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - While hundreds of thousands of disability claims lay backlogged at the Department of Veterans Affairs, thousands of technology employees at the department received $24 million in bonuses, a new report says.
A report issued by the VA's Office of Inspector General said the department issued millions of dollars in awards over a two-year period in 2007 and 2008.
"The frequent and large dollar amount awards given to employees were unusual and often absurd," the report stated.
The reports also called the payments "not fiscally responsible."
Four high-level employees received about $60,000, $73,000, $58,000, and $59,000, respectively, according to the report, without sufficient justification. Another employee received a $4,500 performance award within the first 90 days of her employment from a manager who said that she did not even remember her.
The annual average award per employee was about $2,500 for both years, according to the report. About 4,700 awards and bonuses were issued in 2007, and about 5,000 in 2008.
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Preston kathy i feel sorry for the men and woman who are just getting out of the service they will never trust the goverment again
Kathy preston when the veterans get out of the military why did the lye to me
I didn't know federal employees can receive bonuses for doing their jobs.
Wonder how the lib's will blame Bush for this one........ Will they for once blame Obama???? I doubt it......
All those bumper stickers and politicians spouting "Support Our Troops?" Yeah. Except when they get home. Then, they get to suffer just like us civilians. Thanks a lot, government of the people and by the people. You're working just fine.
preston kathy im a vietnam vet i tried to get a pension for loseing my hearing
Preston kathy i feel sorry for the men and woman who are just getting out of the service they will never trust the goverment again
they will wonder why did the military lye to me vietnam veteran
Hmm. What's missing from this story? Ah, "... under the Bush administration."
Yeah, that's it.
Government efficientcy in action!
A
how does a manager approve a $4500 performance award to an employee they don't even remember, and for 90 days work at that? i smell a rat! the greater amount of the VA budget should be earmarked for our soldiers that have put their lives on hold and in harms way to protect us. such abuses will continue to affect our ability to maintain a voluntary military force. someone needs to take all the money back and put it into the medical care and other benefits for our soldiers who trully deserve and need it.
preston kathy i fought the va for i0 years for 2 hearing aids because i lost my hearing iin uietnam keep fighting
I suppose someone will blame Obama for this too!
I wonder what the situation would be if McCain had won the election. I think McCain and palin were on the ticket to throw the election because the GOP KNEW that all hell was going to break loose and wanted to blame the democrats. the economy is tanking he said. that was not the half of it!! I want president Obama to suceed in spite of all the lies the GOP can muster.