Whistle-blowers sue VA, claim reprisal

Whistle-blowers sue VA, claim reprisal
By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jan 11, 2012 10:05:24 EST
After Wilmington, Del., VA Medical Center therapist Michelle Washington decided to testify before Congress last November about treatment delays at her facility, she said she received her first-ever negative performance review and was demoted.

Six civil lawsuits filed by a D.C.-based law firm against the Veterans Affairs Department show that Washington isn’t alone. The Employment Law Group has filed claims on behalf of VA whistle-blowers who allege they were fired or harassed for speaking out about problems affecting patient care.

The suits allege that from Northport, N.Y., to Houston, employees were pressured to cover up mistakes, rush patients through care or practice in dangerous working conditions.
read more here