Jones' Statement on IG Report Concerning VA Employee's Fraudulent Charity | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    WASHINGTON, DC     Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) responded to the Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General's (VA OIG) release of their investigative report concerning John Thomas Burch, Jr., a senior VA official. In March of this year, CNN reporters David Fitzpatrick, Drew Griffin, and Jake Tapper reported that Burch's charity, the National Vietnam Veterans Foundation (NVVF), gave less than 2 percent of donations to veterans, while the rest went to personal expenses. In response, Jones wrote to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald, demanding the resignation of Burch.

    After a thorough investigation, this afternoon the VA OIG released its report, which found Burch to be guilty of "conduct prejudicial to the Government, to have misused his VA position for his private gain and misusing government resources in connection with his outside employment as Chairman of the Board and President of the veterans' charity." As a result, the VA immediately began the process to remove Burch from federal service. Additionally, the VA OIG worked with the New York Office of the Attorney General Charities Bureau (NYAGCB), and after further inquiry, Burch agreed to pay $100,000 to the New York Department of Law, and $5,331 to the charity in a settlement.

    "It is nothing short of reprehensible that a taxpayer-funded VA employee would use his position to cheat our nation's veterans, the very men and women who protected this country," said Congressman Jones. "I am grateful to the VA Inspector General's office for all the hard work they did on this case, and to the VA Secretary McDonald for firing Mr. Burch for his shameful actions."

    Congressman Jones has long been an advocate for veterans and has consistently taken action to hold the VA accountable. This Congress, Congressman Jones cosponsored a career record of 99 bills to help veterans by providing better access to more transparent healthcare, access to educational opportunities, affordable housing, and job opportunities. In fact, over the past three years, Congressman Jones has cosponsored more bills to help veterans than any member of Congress.

    The full VA OIG investigative report and press release are attached.

    For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Jones' office at (202)225-3415 or allison.tucker@mail.house.gov.