ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Federal investigators say the Veterans Affairs Department fired an employee in retaliation for seeking congressional help in finding his lost VA benefits claims folder.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel announced Tuesday that Bradie Frink, a disabled Army veteran who worked at the VA’s Baltimore Regional Office, was fired after a congressional office made inquiries.
Investigators say the VA violated the Civil Service Reform Act when it discharged Frink, who was hired as a clerk in February 2013.
Investigators say VA policy required the Baltimore office to transfer his claims folder for processing, but the VA lost it. Frink complained to Sen. Barbara Mikulski.
Within two weeks, investigators say VA officials began discussing his termination, while no performance concerns had been previously discussed about him.
