VA Staff Improperly Accessed Medical Records Of Sen. Vance And Gov. Walz, Investigators Say

Investigators have revealed that employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) improperly accessed the medical records of vice-presidential candidates Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) and Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN). The breach, which reportedly took place over the summer, involved at least a dozen VA staff members, including a physician and a contractor, who viewed the records without authorization.

The unauthorized access, which violates federal health privacy laws, has raised concerns about the motives behind the breach. According to sources familiar with the investigation, VA Inspector General Michael Missal’s office has already shared evidence with federal prosecutors, and the investigation is ongoing.

VA officials alerted both the Vance and Walz campaigns about the privacy violation. Some employees reportedly told investigators they accessed the records out of curiosity, citing scrutiny over the candidates’ military service during the presidential campaign. Both Vance and Walz have been in the spotlight for their military backgrounds, with Vance previously criticizing Walz for allegedly exaggerating his service record.

The breach raises significant privacy concerns and comes at a crucial time in the 2024 presidential race. Vance, a Marine veteran, has been critical of Walz’s military claims, pointing out that the governor dropped out of the Army National Guard before his unit deployed to Iraq. Additionally, Walz’s rank was reduced to master sergeant before his retirement, despite his previous claims of being a command sergeant major.

As the investigation continues, questions remain about whether the medical records were shared and the true intentions behind the unauthorized access.