VA Investigates Employees Over Media Interactions After Alex Pretti Vigils

The Department of Veterans Affairs opened internal probes into at least four staff members for allegedly breaching agency media-relations rules after they spoke to the press about attending vigils for Alex Pretti, a VA nurse killed by Customs and Border Protection officers in Minneapolis on Jan. 24. Becky Halioua, a recreational therapist and local president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, was the first notified that her interview with a local newspaper was under review. Her supervisor warned that disciplinary action could follow.

Raw Story

Pretti’s death and the subsequent killing of Renée Good sparked nationwide vigils at VA facilities, including the Augusta event where Halioua participated. Union leaders involved include Thomas Dargon, AFGE deputy general counsel, and National Nurses United (NNU), which helped organize the vigil. VA press secretary Quinn Slaven handles agency communications.

Raw Story

• At least four VA employees have been investigated for media interactions linked to the Pretti vigils.

Raw Story

• Sources confirm three additional employees faced similar probes, with one case directly tied to Pretti.

CNN

• Investigators sent Halioua photos from news coverage that highlighted her image with a name label.

Alternet

Quinn Slaven said privacy laws prevent the VA from discussing individual employee cases without written consent. The agency’s internal review concluded that Halioua “violated agency rules by consenting to an interview without requesting prior approval” and advised her supervisor to revisit the media-relations policy with her. No further disciplinary decision has been announced.

CNN

AFGE’s Thomas Dargon called the probe “disappointing” and asserted that Halioua was exercising her First Amendment rights. National Nurses United labeled the investigations “despicable and immoral,” arguing that federal employees should not be penalized for honoring a colleague. Halioua herself described the inquiry as a “scare tactic” intended to silence outspoken staff.

Alternet

Sources differ on the exact number of employees under investigation—some cite “at least three” additional cases, others note “four” total. The VA has not released detailed criteria for what constitutes a media-relations violation, leaving the policy’s scope unclear.

CNN

• “It really gave me an uneasy feeling,” — Becky Halioua

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• “I think that it’s a scare tactic,” — Becky Halioua

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• “It is despicable and immoral to come after any federal employee who participates in a vigil for a fellow worker.” — National Nurses United

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• “It is disappointing to say the least that VA dragged her through an investigation,” — Thomas Dargon

CNN

• “Privacy laws prevent VA from publicly discussing specific details about its employees without their written consent,” — Quinn Slaven

CNN

Halioua’s supervisor has been asked to review the media-relations policy with her, and the VA is weighing possible disciplinary measures. Union leaders say they will monitor the outcome and consider legal challenges if the investigations continue.

CNN