The Veterans Affairs Department’s regional benefits office in Philadelphia is already under fire for its long response times to veterans seeking assistance.
But now the VA’s Office of Inspector General can add another element to its investigation: A supernatural soiree.
Yes, supervisors at the facility may have encouraged employees to pay to talk to dead people.
Lucy Filipov, assistant director of the VA’s Philadelphia Regional Office, allegedly threw a party at her house that included Gary Hodge, head of the pension-management center, his wife, and several employees. Hodge’s wife is a self-described medium who could help the living commune with the dead.
And the invited guests (a.k.a government employees) allegedly were encouraged to pay her $30 each for that experience. Soliciting money from subordinates in the federal government is a no-no.
The OIG confirmed to us that it’s indeed investigating.
Chairman Rep. Jeff Miller asked Filipov directly about the paranormal party at a congressional hearing last week. She said she was told by an employee of the inspector general’s office that she could not discuss the matter as it is “part of an ongoing investigation.”
Emily Wax-Thibodeaux is a National staff writer who covers veterans, veterans' affairs and the culture of government. She's an award-winning former foreign correspondent who covered Africa and India for nearly a decade. She also covered immigration, crime and education for the Metro staff.
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