Agency Takes Steps to Remove Analyst Responsible for Data Loss
WASHINGTON – Taking additional action to bolster the Department’s handling of veterans’ private information, Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson today announced a series of personnel changes in VA’s Office of Policy and Planning – the division in which the private information of up to 26.5 million veterans was potentially compromised.
Secretary Nicholson announced that current Assistant General Counsel for Management and Operations Paul Hutter will temporarily lead VA’s Office of Policy and Planning. Hutter will serve in the leadership role while the recent nomination of Patrick W. Dunne as Assistant Secretary is considered by the United States Senate.
Secretary Nicholson also announced the Department has begun implementing the procedures necessary to dismiss the career data analyst who violated Department policy by taking home the records containing the names, social security numbers, and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses, as well as some disability rating information.
“In light of recent, unacceptable events within VA’s Office of Policy and Planning, I have asked Paul Hutter to temporarily lead this section of our organization,” said Secretary Nicholson. “Paul’s experience, professionalism and leadership skills will be invaluable during this important transition period.”
VA has received no reports that the stolen data has been used for fraudulent purposes, and law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the incident.
Hutter will replace current Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning Dennis Duffy, a long-time career employee who has been placed on administrative leave. In addition, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Mike McLendon resigned effective Friday, June 2, 2006.
In the Office of General Counsel, Hutter supervised 22 Regional Offices (including research related legal advice), all corollary field operations and the law library, Information Systems Division, Budget and Statistics Division, Human Resources Division, Legislative Information Division, and the National Training Director.
Hutter, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, also served on a 10-month detail to the Department of Defense, working on a team to transition the occupation government in Iraq (the Coalition Provisional Authority) to a U.S. Embassy. Previous to that detail, Hutter was called to active duty to assist with the development of a military commission process to support the Global War on Terrorism.
Hutter joined VA in 1992 as an appellate attorney, was a staff attorney in the Washington Area Office of the Baltimore Regional Counsel, and later served as Assistant Regional Counsel before coming to VA’s Central Office.
# # #
###
Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.
