The Department of Defense has launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct against former White House physician Ronny Jackson, detailed in a document released by the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
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June 4 (UPI) -- The Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General formally opened an investigation into allegations of misconduct against former White House physician Ronny Jackson.
Pentagon officials launched an investigation into accusations made by whistleblowers that Jackson drank alcohol while on the job, improperly handled and administered prescription drugs, and exhibited abusive behavior toward subordinates, inspector general spokeswoman Dwrena K. Allen told The Hill.
The allegations emerged after U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Jackson to become secretary of Veterans Affairs. Jackson subsequently withdrew from consideration and returned to the White House Medical Office, but was not renamed the top White House doctor.
The investigation will seek to determine whether any punitive actions against Jackson would be warranted in relation to the charges, a spokesman for the Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General told the Military Times.
In April, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member Jon Tester, D-Mont., released a document compiled by 23 colleagues and former colleagues of Jackson, detailing the allegations against him.
Jackson's colleagues said he got drunk at a Secret Service going away party and "wrecked a government vehicle," earned the nickname "Candyman" among White House staff because he was willing to provide prescriptions without any form of paperwork, and described him as "toxic," "abusive," and "flat-out unethical" in the workplace.
The White House has denied the allegations against Jackson, citing glowing reviews from each of the three presidents he served under, and said there was no evidence behind the allegations he wrecked a government vehicle after reviewing his vehicle records.
Jackson also denied the allegations upon announcing his withdrawal, saying they were "completely false and fabricated."
"These allegations have become a distraction for the president and the issues we must be addressing," he said.
