The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "VA" ...
-
Los Angeles VA Has Made Millions on Rental Deals
This story is about one of the most fought-over pieces of property in Los Angeles, the 400 acre Veterans Affairs Medical Center campus in West Los Angeles. It’s in an affluent neighborhood and has been a target of developers. But with many unused buildings, it’s also been coveted as a place to house some of L.A.’s 8,000 homeless veterans. That was the original use of the land, which was donated for an Old Soldiers’ Home in the late 19th century. The VA has not acted on plans announced in 2007 to begin rehabbing unused buildings there for housing for homeless vets. Meanwhile, it’s rented out land and buildings to commercial enterprises. There is no public accounting for this income. Through FOIA and other documents, we found that the VA is renting out the property using a law intended for sharing health care resources, though the renters are non-health related commercial enterprises. We were also able to estimate that the VA has taken in at least 28 million and possibly more than 40 million dollars over the past dozen years, far more than the cost of re-habbing a building to house homeless vets.
Tags: Property; neighborhood; land uses; veterans
-
Disabled veterans fleeced by VA-appointed fund managers
Dozens of convicted thieves, chronic gamblers, mentally ill and the bankrupt were among those approved to handle veterans’ assets by the VA, according to nationwide interviews and an unprecedented analysis of never-before released inspector general and court records.
Tags: veterans; VA; veterans courts
-
Benefits Denied
This series reveals the “shameful failing of both the state and federal government in living up to its promises to both Indiana’s most vulnerable and it’s most brave”. The story began when a “1.3 billion dollar state welfare contract” was cancelled and “new federal directives were sent to every V.A. office nationwide”. Further, when people were sick and turning to the V.A. for help, their requests were denied.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs; medical care; Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA); support; military; soldiers; agencies
-
VA Loan Fraud
The series reveals “major banks and mortgage companies across America were systematically defrauding military veterans who were refinancing home loans”. “Federal mortgage documents show there were potentially more than 900,000 veterans since 2001 who could be victims of the scheme”. As a result of this series, veterans contacted their lenders and eventually repaid the charges.
Tags: Johnny Isakson; congressional; hearings; corruption; federal government; Wells Fargo; loan officers; interest rates
-
The Family
"The family is a story of a self-described 'invisible organization' of Christian conservative activists dedicated to organizing political and business elites into linked small groups they call 'prayer cells' or invisible believing groups.' Members and associates of the Family, also known as the Fellowship, include prominent figures such as senators Sam Brownback, James Ihnofe, and John Ensign; representatives Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts, and Zach Wamp; former attorneys general John Ashcroft and Ed Meese; and many others."
Tags: Christian fundamentalist; Christian Right; government; Focus on the Family; Ivanwald; Arlington, Va.;
-
How the VA Abandons Our Vets
Sgt. Juan Jimenez was struck by a roadside bomb in Baghdad, and in need of immediate care, he sought disability benefits from the VA. He then learned of a bizarre regulation: before he could receive benefits he would have to prove his wounds came from war.
Tags: veteran suicide; Veterans for Common Sense; Veterans Affairs; Purple Heart; armed forces;
-
VA's Cover Up Exposed
A four part series that highlights how the Department of Veterans Affairs purposely tried to conceal the suicide rate of military veterans. Government emails help expose the widespread problem.
Tags: post traumatic stress; depression; psychological effects; war; battle;
-
How The VA Abandons Our Vets: Denying care, delaying benefits, deceiving the public
The investigation uncovered unethical and criminal behavior by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' top brass. It tells the story of Sgt. Juan Jimenez, who was struck by a roadside bomb in Iraq. In seeking disability benefits from the VA, Jimenez was told he had to prove his injuries came from war. Desperate after a three and a half year battle, he joined with other Iraq veterans who had been denied benefits and sued the VA.
Tags: veterans; Iraq; benefits; disability; war; medical care; lawsuit
-
Best Care Anywhere: Why VA Health Care is Better than Yours
This book documents the generally poor quality of American Health Care, and uncovers one surprising exception: the Veterans Health Administration. Longman explores how the VA was pressured by doctors into reforming its practices and is now one of the most respected and effective health care agencies in the U.S.
Tags: health care; hospitals; federal government; veterans; doctors; medical records; Veterans Administration; VA;
-
VA Mental Health System in Crisis
"The entry consists of an ongoing investigation of the Department of veterans Affairs and its mental health system. Each of the stories relies on exclusive access to VA data and documents obtained under FOIA that shed light on the inconsistent treatment of veterans suffering from mental health ailments."
Tags: FOIA; veterans; mental health; federal government; post-traumatic stress disorder; Timothy Bowman; health care system;