The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) admitted on Monday that VA employees illegally accessed the medical files of vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. , revealed that a Department of Justice investigation is currently underway.
The Washington Post first reported the breach, noting that at least a dozen employees accessed Vance and Walz's records this summer, a violation of federal medical privacy laws.
In a statement to The Hill, Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson Terrence Hayes said the department had “reported to law enforcement an allegation that a VA employee may have improperly accessed a veteran's records.” admitted.
“We take our veterans' privacy very seriously and have strict policies in place to protect their records,” Hayes said. “Attempts by VA personnel to gain unauthorized access to VA records are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
He did not say when the breach was discovered or when the sides were notified, and directed additional questions to the Justice Department, which did not immediately respond.
Vance, former President Donald Trump's running mate, served four years in the Marines right out of high school and made one trip to Iraq in 2005 as a combat correspondent. Meanwhile, Walz joined the Army National Guard at age 17 and served for 24 years, leaving in 2005 to run for Congress.
The employees accessed records primarily from government agencies using veterans' computers and viewed the information from July to August, the Washington Post reported. The incident was discovered during a security check of sensitive Veterans Affairs medical accounts in August, officials told the outlet.
CNN reportedVance said his team was contacted about two months ago by officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and was informed of the violation. A spokesperson for the Harris campaign also told the media that they had received the report.
The Trump and Harris campaigns did not respond to requests for comment from The Hill.
After the violation, Veterans Affairs Secretary Dennis McDonough sent a message to all department employees reminding them of veterans' privacy rules.
“Veterans' information should only be accessed as necessary to perform their officially authorized and assigned duties as employees, contractors, volunteers, and other personnel,” he wrote in an Aug. 30 letter. ” he wrote. “Inspection of a veteran's records out of curiosity or concern or for any purpose not directly related to officially authorized and assigned duties is strictly prohibited.”
McDonough said failure to follow the rules could result in disciplinary action “including removal, civil penalties and referral to law enforcement for criminal prosecution.”
