September 23, 2016

Chairman Miller, Acting Ranking Member Takano Ask DOJ to Investigate VA Officials for Perjury

WASHINGTON — Today, Chairman Miller, Ranking Member Takano and members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs wrote to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, asking the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into whether former VA construction chief Glenn Haggstrom and other VA officials may have committed perjury in their statements to Congress regarding cost overruns at the Denver VA medical center.

Following their letter, Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Takano made the below statements.

“It is an absolute fact that numerous VA officials repeatedly misled Congress regarding cost overruns related to the replacement Denver VA medical center – the biggest construction failure in VA history. Now it’s up to the Department of Justice to do its job and ensure that justice is served. That’s why we’re calling on Attorney General Lynch to examine the overwhelming amount of damning evidence in this case and determine whether perjury charges are warranted.” – Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

“The OIG’s report makes two things clear. First, the significant delays and cost overruns at the Greater Colorado VA construction project were entirely avoidable and resulted from leadership failures at the highest levels of the VA. Second, Glenn Haggstrom and other senior VA officials involved in the project likely misrepresented or withheld information in testimony provided to the Committee. 

“Honest and forthright testimony is critical for this Committee to understand and address the challenges facing the VA and veterans. Any witness who deliberately misleads Congress must be held accountable and I hope the Department of Justice conducts a thorough investigation into the statements made by VA officials responsible for the failed Colorado project. If they indeed lied in their testimony they not only broke the law, they betrayed the trust of America's veterans.” – Rep. Mark Takano, Acting Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

 

Related

Chairman Miller, Acting Ranking Member Takano Letter to AG Lynch

VA Construction Exec Who Earned Bonuses Despite $2 Billion in Cost Overruns ‘Steps Down.’ But Can Still Get His Pension.

The Unfinished VA Hospital That's More Than $1 Billion Over Budget

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