Florida investigates contractors of Lake Nona VA Hospital

State investigates VA Center contractors


By Mary Shanklin, Orlando Sentinel
4:14 p.m. EST, February 9, 2011
Contractors for the VA Medical Center's new $665 million complex at Lake Nona are being investigated by state and federal agencies for employment practices, according to the state Department of Financial Services.

"It is an ongoing investigation involving multiple state and federal agencies into the employment practices of some contractors," said Nina Ashley, a spokeswoman for the Financial Services Department.

Officials with the Department of Veteran Affairs offices in Orlando would not comment on the investigation and referred inquiries to the state agency. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has agents at the site assisting in the investigation, which is being conducted by the Financial Services' Division of Insurance Fraud.

With a 134-bed hospital, community living center and 60-bed nursing home, the VA project represents possibly the largest construction project in the region. It's slated for completion in 2012.

No one would disclose what companies were being investigated.
State investigates VA Center contractors