Evans Requests Expedited Investigation of Veterans’ Data Theft

Washington, DC – Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL), Ranking Democratic Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Honorable George Opfer, requesting an expedited investigation into the recent theft of sensitive data affecting 26.5 million veterans and dependents. 

Evans said he is “very concerned about the loss of such sensitive and personal information” and wants “to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs takes immediate action to assist veterans in their efforts to monitor against identity theft and prevent similar data security failures in the future.”

“Veterans and their families should not have to pay for VA’s data security blunders,” said Evans.

Evans also plans to request that the Government Accountability Office review the VA’s policies and actions concerning the data breach and recommend steps to prevent a recurrence.

The text of the letter sent to the VA IG is below.

###

May 23, 2006

Honorable George Opfer

Inspector General

Department of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington, DC  20420

Dear Mr. Opfer:

I write to express my deep concern and request an expedited investigation into the events and circumstances detailed in yesterday’s announcement by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, R. James Nicholson, regarding the recent theft of sensitive data affecting some 26.5 million veterans and dependents.  In addition to conducting a general investigation in the professional manner in which you are charged, I have several specific requests regarding your investigation of this matter and ask that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report directly to my committee staff as your review of each specific requested item is complete.  

Please review:

1.   The parent data base and/or associated administrative file(s) from which the missing data were extracted to determine the download parameters, date of the download, authorization codes and other relevant information.  Crosscheck this information with the information reported by the individual who reportedly had the data stolen and the subsequent series of statements issued by VA.  Advise of any discrepancies noted.  

2.   Investigate the specific work project of the employee responsible for removing the stolen data.  Was this a self-generated review or a directed review of some aspect of the data?  If it were a directed review, by whom and detail supporting evidence.

3.   Review VA adherence to statute, regulation, policies, procedures and training requirements with regard to handling sensitive information and note prior instances where discrepancies were noted by the VA OIG during the last 10 years.  Also note successful corrective actions taken by VA to correct OIG reported discrepancies in this area.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation on this very serious matter.   Should your staff have any questions or concerns with this request please contact Mr. Len Sistek at (202) 225-9756.

                                                          Sincerely,

                                                          /s/

                                                          LANE EVANS

                                                          Ranking Democratic Member

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