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Rep. LaMalfa Demands Answers to Oakland VA’s Failure to Account for Nearly 14,000 Claims

February 25, 2015

Washington, DC – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) released the following remarks regarding the on-going investigation into nearly 14,000 Veteran benefits claims that were discovered in a filing cabinet at the Oakland VA and the subsequent report that was released last Wednesday from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG).

"Last year, these claims were brought to my attention by Oakland VA staff members. The VA's OIG report confirmed the discovery of nearly 14,000 claims in a filing cabinet," said LaMalfa. "However, during an onsite review, OIG could not verify the existence of these claims due to the Oakland VA management's ‘poor record keeping practices'. Sadly, this report sheds very little light on who is being held accountable for these failures. This type of dysfunction and complete lack of oversight and accountability cannot continue. Not in Oakland, and not at any of the VA regional offices across the country. We must continue to demand answers."

Video of LaMalfa's Floor Speech may be viewed here.

The growing scandal at the Oakland VA office has received national media coverage and was the subject of a segment on CBS This Morning earlier today (click here to watch).

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.

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