Prosecutors asked to look into job change for head of Philly’s VA office

Inspectors with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have asked federal prosecutors to investigate whether the director of the regional office in Philadelphia illegally arranged her own reassignment to the position.

The report by Linda Halliday, deputy inspector general of the VA Office of the Inspector General, said the reassignment resulted in a “significant decrease” in Diana Rubens’ job responsibilities but she retained her annual salary of $181,497.

The report also recommended that department officials consider administrative action and consult with attorneys to determine whether Rubens should be billed for $274,019 in relocation expenses.

A listed number for Rubens couldn’t be found Monday night.

Federal officials said in July that nearly a dozen employees in the Philadelphia office could face discipline over their handling of a backlog of benefit claims.