The Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed Wednesday that it paid a senior manager $288,000 in “relocation payments†when it reassigned her from Washington last year to become director of the agency’s problem-riddled Philadelphia office.
The chairman of the House Veterans Affairs committee called the payment to Philadelphia Director Diana Rubens “outrageous.â€
“The government shouldn’t be in the business of doling out hundreds of thousands in cash to extremely well-compensated executives just to move less than three hours down the road,†said Rep. Jeff Miller, Florida Republican, in a statement. “For VA to pay such an outrageous amount in relocation expenses at a time when the department is continually telling Congress and taxpayers it needs more money raises questions about VA’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency and true reform.â€
A department spokesman told the Philadelphia Inquirer that federal regulations allow the payment of certain relocation expenses, including the costs of house-hunting, moving, terminating leases, and a per diem rate for meals and temporary housing.
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