CNN
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Staff on the Division of Veterans Affairs improperly accessed the medical recordsdata of Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2 main occasion vice presidential nominees, and an investigation is underneath manner.
Two sources acquainted with the state of affairs confirmed that VA workers improperly accessed Vance’s medical information, and roughly two months in the past, an worker in VA Inspector Basic Michael Missal’s workplace reached out to somebody within the Ohio Republican’s operation to alert them of the breach, one of many sources stated. A Harris marketing campaign spokesperson stated it was knowledgeable in regards to the breach of Walz’s information. The marketing campaign declined to remark additional, citing the continued investigation.
The Washington Post, which first reported the incident, stated not less than a dozen workers accessed the information.
Terrence Hayes, a spokesman for the VA, confirmed to CNN that the division reported to regulation enforcement “allegations that VA personnel might have improperly accessed veteran information” however didn’t elaborate and referred further inquiries to the Justice Division, which declined to remark.
As a part of its response to CNN, the VA additionally famous that it affirmed in a message to workers final month the division’s “dedication to guard privateness,” wherein it warned that “viewing a veteran’s information out of curiosity or concern – or for any goal that isn’t instantly associated to formally licensed and assigned duties – is strictly prohibited.”
Vance enlisted within the navy after highschool, spending 4 years within the Marines and serving a tour in Iraq in 2005 as a fight correspondent. Walz enlisted at 17 and served 24 years within the Nationwide Guard earlier than retiring in 2005 to run for Congress.
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