Veterans Benefits Official In St. Paul Accused Of Financial Impropriety

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The head of the Veterans Affairs' benefits office in St. Paul is accused of using her position inappropriately for person and financial gain.

A report from the Office of Inspector General says Kimberly Graves arranged to be transferred from the East Coast to the St. Paul office, keeping her higher rate of pay for less responsibility and claiming nearly $130,000 in moving expenses.

The inspector general's office has referred Graves and a VA official in the Philadelphia regional office to the U.S. Attorney for possible criminal charges. Investigators say the other VA official used the same tactics to get herself reassigned to the Philadelphia regional office from Washington.

Asked for a comment from Graves, the VA only released a statement in response to the report, saying it will conduct a 30-day review of all incentive and relocation procedures.

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