Trump trio monetized VA patient database, House finds

Trump trio monetized VA patient database, House finds

As reported by ProPublica, three of former President Donald Trump’s associates are under investigation for allegedly trying to monetize veterans' medical records as Trump-appointed "advisors" at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The House Oversight and Veterans' Affairs committees conducted a 19-month probe that led to the indictment of billionaire Marvel Entertainment Chairman Ike Perlmutter, attorney Marc Sherman, and doctor Bruce Moskowitz.

Despite having no military or government background, the three served as organizers and advisors at the VA from 2016-2018.

According to Perlmutter, the rule does not apply to the group since it isn't formal. Earlier that year, he argued the government didn't apply since the group wasn't standard in any way. A plan to monetize veterans' medical records has been alleged to be one of the benefit programs developed by the "Trio."

It is alleged that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, both of whom worked for Trump, introduced these men to executives from these companies. ProPublica has not found evidence to support that sold patients' data, and none of the individuals profited from the involvement of the three.

According to a statement released by a representative of all three men, the VA suffers from several issues, such as long wait times and a lack of quality care. "That is why, when the president and the senior leadership at the VA asked for our help, we gladly volunteered our time to do so,” the statement read.  “As the emails released show, we were asked repeatedly by former Secretary Shulkin and his senior staff, as well as by the president, to assist the VA and that is what we sought to do, period."

VoteVets reported that the VA violated the Freedom of Information Act by allowing the trio to operate during FACA. The case is currently ongoing