OAWP's Investigative Scope

The Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) promotes and improves accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

• What We Investigate

  We investigate disclosures from any individual alleging:
  

  • Senior Leader Misconduct or Poor Performance
  • Whistleblower Retaliation by any VA Supervisory Employee

• What We Refer for Investigation

  The office receives whistleblower disclosures from VA employees and applicants for VA employment, refers them for investigation, and monitors the investigative process. The following whistleblower disclosures pertaining to non-senior leaders are referred for investigation:
  

  • A violation of law, rule or regulation
  • Gross mismanagement
  • Gross waste of funds
  • Abuse of authority
  • Substantial and specific danger to public health or safety
  • Censorship related to scientific research

  Examples of whistleblower disclosures referred to another VA investigative entity by OAWP:

  • Allegation of leave abuse involving a facility human resources officer
  • Allegation of abuse of authority involving a non-senior leader influencing a hiring decision

• What Falls Outside of OAWP's Scope?

  • Allegations involving crimes (see 38 C.F.R. § 1.204)
  • Allegations within the scope of Office of Resolution Management, Diversity & Inclusion (ORMDI) (va.gov), such as discrimination, EEO reprisal, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and reasonable accommodation
  • Veteran requests for care or benefits may be transmitted to the appropriate VA Administration
  • Allegations under litigation or covered by another remedial administrative process such as MSPB, OSC, EEO, FLRA, or the negotiated grievance procedure
  • Allegation appropriate for review by the VA Office of Inspector General or the Office of Medical Inspector

  Examples of matters outside of OAWP’s investigative scope:

  • Veteran healthcare appointment requests
  • Claims of Veteran benefit fraud

Prohibitions on Whistleblower Reprisal in Federal Employment

It is unlawful for agencies to take, threaten to take, or fail to take, a personnel action against an employee or applicant for employment for a disclosure that the employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences violation of any law, rule, or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; abuse of authority; substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or censorship related to scientific research if censorship meets one of the above-listed categories.

Disclosures involving classified information or information otherwise protected by law are only protected when reported to the OIG, the OSC, or an employee designated to receive such disclosures. Contact the OSC or the OIG for more information.

More Information

The Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) is committed to ensuring accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). OAWP was established by the President of the United States on April 27, 2017, under Executive Order 13793.

OAWP was statutorily established by the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, P.L. 115-41, and its functions are codified under 38 U.S.C. 323. More information about OAWP’s investigative process can be found in VA Directive 0500.