RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia’s Attorney General is requesting a criminal investigation after 20-30 boxes of documents, including claims filed by veterans, were recently found in a former Veteran’s benefits employee’s storage unit in Richmond.
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services is going through the documents to determine how many veterans claims may be affected, according to the agency’s announcement.
The agency says because official documents were mixed with the employee’s personal records, it does not known how many Veterans are affected. But the employee worked at the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond and the claims appear to be dated between 2011 and Mid-2015.
The former employee worked at DVS from January 2012 until August 25, 2015. Earlier in August 2015, DVS officials found un-filed claims in the employee’s office. Those claims were reviewed, and DVS contacted affected veterans to advise them and provide assistance.
Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs John Harvey said in a statement, “I am deeply concerned about the veterans whose records have been mishandled, and I have directed my team to use all available resources to identify these men and women and ensure that they receive the benefits and care that they are due.”
The agency says it will contact Veterans whose claims were mishandled.
Officials said Veterans who believe they may have been affected after filing a claim at the Veterans Services’ benefit office at McGuire VA Medical Center can contact Veterans Services at veteransassistance@dvs.virginia.gov, or (804) 786-0286.
