Improper Access of Medical Records of J.D. Vance, Tim Walz by Veterans Affairs Staffers
Investigation Reveals Unauthorized Access
A recent investigation has uncovered that the medical records of vice presidential nominees J.D. Vance of Ohio (Republican) and Tim Walz of Minnesota (Democrat) were improperly accessed by approximately a dozen employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during the summer.
The internal investigation, carried out by VA investigators and reported by the Daily Caller, found that these employees could be in violation of federal privacy laws and may face criminal investigations.
Breaches within the Veterans Health Administration
The unauthorized access occurred within the VA’s Veterans Health Administration (VHA), according to sources close to the investigation. Both campaigns have been officially informed of the data breach.
The VA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has already reached out to federal prosecutors, presenting evidence that could potentially lead to charges. Among the accused employees are a physician and a contractor, who allegedly spent a significant amount of time viewing the medical records without proper authorization.
A VA spokesman stated, "We reported to law enforcement allegations that VA personnel may have improperly accessed Veteran records. We take the privacy of the Veterans we serve very seriously and have strict policies in place to protect their records. Any attempt to improperly access Veteran records by VA personnel is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Timing of the Breaches
The breaches took place in July and August, shortly after the announcements that Senator Vance and Governor Walz would be serving as the running mates of presidential nominees Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, respectively. The breaches were discovered after officials conducted routine security checks of all high-profile accounts with records stored at the agency.
In August, VA Secretary Denis McDonough sent an internal memo reminding all employees that unauthorized viewing of a Veteran’s records is strictly prohibited.
Controversy Surrounding Military Records
The military records of both Walz and Vance have become a focus of both campaigns, primarily due to controversy surrounding the exact details of Walz’s service, including his rank upon retirement and when he retired. Multiple members of Walz’s former Army unit, including his former commanding officer and his former chaplain, accused him of deliberately abandoning his unit once he found out that the unit was going to be deployed to Iraq for war. Walz also allegedly lied about his rank, claiming to have retired as a command sergeant major when he actually never completed the full requirements to achieve the rank. These and other scandals have led to widespread accusations of stolen valor on Walz’s part.
Bottom Line
The unauthorized access of medical records is a serious violation of privacy laws. This incident involving vice presidential nominees J.D. Vance and Tim Walz not only highlights the importance of data security but also brings to light the controversial details of their military service. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends. Also, don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
