VA watchdog preparing report on Shulkin misuse of security detail: report

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is likely to be the subject of an inspector general investigation criticizing his use of his security detail to perform errands, the Daily Beast reported Saturday.

Three sources familiar with the investigation told the Daily Beast that the report, which they say will likely be published within two weeks, will find Shulkin misused public resources to perform personal errands.

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The report comes on the heels of a separate inspector general investigation that found Shulkin misused government resources by using taxpayers dollars on airfare for his wife when they took a trip to Europe last year that cost at least $122,000 overall. It also criticized him for accepting Wimbledon tickets from an adviser for the Invictus Games.

The investigation found Shulkin’s chief of staff attempted to cover up the expenses. 

Shulkin said last month that “there was never anything intentional” to covering up the expenses.

“We act with the highest ethical character,” Shulkin said. “I relied upon my staff to do this, and in retrospect, I wish that I had asked more questions.”

His chief of staff later resigned.

Shulkin sharply criticized the first report in a letter to the Veterans Affairs inspector general.

“It is outrageous that you would portray my wife and me as attempting to take advantage of the government,” Shulkin wrote.

The White House has maintained public support for Shulkin, despite the controversy.

“The president is glad for the job that [Shulkin]’s been doing in reforming the VA and modernizing the VA,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday.