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WASHINGTON (AP) May 22 — Personal data, including Social Security numbers of 26.5 million U.S. veterans, was stolen from a Veterans Affairs employee this month after he took the information home without authorization.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson said there was no evidence so far that the burglars who struck the employee’s home have used the personal data or even know they have it. The employee, a data analyst whom Nicholson would not identify, has been placed on leave pending a review.
“We have a full-scale investigation,” said Nicholson, who said the FBI, local law enforcement and the VA inspector general were investigating. “I want to emphasize, there was no medical records of any veteran and no financial information of any veteran that’s been compromised.”
US veterans are a vocal group
Veterans advocates immediately expressed alarm.
“This was a very serious breach of security for American veterans and their families,” said Bob Wallace, executive director of Veterans for Foreign Wars. “We want the VA to show leadership, management and accountability for this breach.”
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who is a Vietnam veteran, decried the breach and said he would introduce legislation to require the VA to provide credit reports to the veterans affected by the theft. “This is no way to treat those who have worn the uniform of our country,” Kerry said in a statement.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
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