Paralyzed Veterans of America Executive Director Homer Townsend recently released a quote to the media regarding the October 16 resignation of Veterans Benefits Administration Under Secretary Allison Hickey.
“The American public demands accountability at all levels of public service. As a leading voice for our country’s most severely disabled veterans, we consider that demand an edict,” Townsend says in the release from Paralyzed Veterans of America.
“Under Secretary Hickey’s decision to resign signals a shift away from the ‘circle the wagons’ mentality in VA culture that once typified the agency’s response to crises,” he adds.
Per the release, Hickey was in charge of the Veterans Benefits Administration and oversaw 20,000 employees. She became the focus of a recent VA Inspector General’s report that alleged she had approved the illegal recoupment of $400,000 in moving compensation for two senior employees.
“As we work through this unfortunate development, it is our hope that the Department of Veterans Affairs remains focused on what is most important: reducing the backlog and right-sizing the Veterans Benefits Administration, ” Townsend continues in the release.
“Our Congress and VA Secretary Robert McDonald have their work cut out for them in appointing a successor who understands the Administration and has the integrity to lead it. Rest assured, Paralyzed Veterans of America will be watching intently,” Townsend states.
[Source(s): Paralyzed Veterans of America, Business Wire]
