Former VA Secretary Ray Boland says board is apparently out to replace current leader

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Former state Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Ray Boland says the agency’s board is apparently out to replace its current secretary, John Scocos.

Boland tells the AP he can’t believe that the board asked the Legislative Audit Bureau to investigate problems that could have been handled within the agency.

And Boland said the recent negative publicity about the department is a slap in the face to veterans in a way.

Boland retired in 2003 after spending 11 years heading the state veterans’ agency.

Scocos replaced him, and he’s recently been serving in Iraq with his military unit. Board chairman Marv Freedman is not commenting on Scocos and his possible future.

He said the board asked for the audit because it was concerned with several aspects of the department’s operations.

They included $820,000 in unbudgeted spending at the state’s nursing home for veterans in Waupaca County, where the commandant was recently let go.

Tags: veterains affairs, wisconsin, secretary, replacement