Several VA Loma Linda Healthcare System whistleblowers have come forward with new allegations of retaliation, harassment and hostile working conditions amid a widening investigation by the House Veterans Affairs Committee, according to a lawmaker.
On Friday, committee member U.S. Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Hesperia, met behind closed doors with VA Loma Linda's interim director Bryan Arnette, and other officials to discuss the whistleblower complaints and map out needed changes.
“Sometimes in federal government … we can create a workplace environment that is tolerant of people that don't follow the rules,” Obernolte said during a press briefing following the meetings without offering specific details about what was discussed. “We want to make sure that doesn't occur.”
Separately, staff members from the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations met with whistleblowers at an undisclosed location to review their complaints that suggest systematic failures by the federal government to address problems at VA Loma Linda.
Obernolte declined to disclose the specific nature of the confidential whistleblower allegations.
Additionally, the second-term House member said he is unsure if the allegations are related to VA Loma Linda Director Karandeep Sraon's transfer in March to the VA's Desert Pacific Healthcare Network in Long Beach.
VA Loma Linda said in a statement Friday that…
