Prosecutors are still evaluating whether the employees involved will face criminal charges. Even if no charges are brought, those found responsible for the privacy violations could face severe administrative penalties.
At least a dozen Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees improperly accessed the medical records of vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance over the summer, according to an investigative report by *The Washington Post*. The unauthorized behavior, discovered by VA investigators, could violate federal privacy laws and has prompted a criminal investigation.
The breaches occurred within the VA’s Veterans Health Administration (VHA), where employees—including a physician and a contractor—spent “extended time” viewing Vance’s medical records. While the motivation behind the unlawful access remains unclear, some VA employees suggested curiosity about Vance’s military service, a subject that has been central to his vice presidential campaign, may have driven the intrusion.
The VA’s Office of the Inspector General has already provided federal prosecutors with evidence of the breaches. Investigators are currently working to determine whether any of Vance’s records were shared with third parties. While the improperly accessed documents do not appear to include his disability compensation records, which are more securely protected, the nature and duration of the violations have sparked concerns about privacy and potential political implications.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough responded quickly after the misconduct was detected during a routine security check, reminding employees in a memo that viewing veterans' records without official authorization is strictly prohibited. “Any attempt to improperly access Veteran records by VA personnel is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the VA said in a statement.
Prosecutors are still evaluating whether the employees involved will face criminal charges. Even if no charges are brought, those found responsible for the privacy violations could face severe administrative penalties.
The breach has added another layer of controversy to an already contentious election season, as both Vance’s campaign and his opponent’s team were notified of the incident. It is unclear what impact this could have on the race, but with Vance’s military service playing a key role in his candidacy, the unauthorized access has drawn significant attention.
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