Former Acquisition Academy Executive Violated Ethical Standards and VA Policy

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
23-03768-204
VA Office
Acquisitions, Logistics, and Construction (OALC)
General Counsel (OGC)
Report Author
Office of Investigations
Report Type
Administrative Investigation
Report Topic
Financial Management
Major Management Challenges
Stewardship of Taxpayer Dollars
Recommendations
3
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary

The OIG conducted an administrative investigation into allegations of misconduct by Judith Dawson, former Chancellor of the VA Acquisition Academy, in connection with an August 2023 acquisition training symposium held at a conference center hotel in Aurora, Colorado, and attended by over 1,200 contracting personnel.

The OIG found that Ms. Dawson knowingly accepted multiple impermissible gifts from the conference center and violated VA policy by improperly directing staff to solicit and accept gifts of sponsored social events at the symposium, purportedly on behalf of VA. The OIG also found that Ms. Dawson at times discouraged her executive assistant from raising questions or seeking guidance regarding potential ethical violations in connection with the symposium, which was contrary to legislative direction that supervisors are to foster an environment in which VA employees could express concerns. Further, the investigation revealed that Ms. Dawson did not report the spa services she received from the conference center as gifts on her annual public financial disclosure report for 2023, even though the value of the gifts exceeded the reporting threshold. Instead, Ms. Dawson indicated that she had no reportable gifts.

Due to Ms. Dawson’s retirement from VA, the OIG made no recommendations with respect to possible administrative action against her. However, the OIG recommended that VA determine whether any additional steps need to be taken regarding Ms. Dawson’s 2023 public financial disclosure based on the findings in this report. The OIG also recommended VA consider additional training on sponsorships for VA events and acceptance of free meals. VA concurred with the OIG’s recommendations and noted that it plans to issue a memorandum regarding whistleblower protections, direct the relevant senior executives to complete conference policy training and report their oversight activities within ten days following a conference, and amend Ms. Dawson’s 2023 financial disclosure report.

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Acquisitions, Logistics, and Construction (OALC)

The principal executive director of the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction considers whether any additional training or other measures are necessary with respect to reporting the wrongdoing of a supervisor and the acceptance of free meals and drinks by VA employees during the February 2023 site visit.

No. 2
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to Acquisitions, Logistics, and Construction (OALC)

The principal executive director of the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction determines whether any additional guidance, training, or oversight is needed with respect to ensuring VA employees do not improperly solicit sponsorships for VA events that do not primarily benefit veterans.

No. 3
Open Recommendation Image, Square
to General Counsel (OGC)

VA’s designated agency ethics official determines whether any additional steps need to be taken in connection with Ms. Dawson’s 2023 public financial disclosure based on the findings of this report.