John H. Windom, a former Executive Director of the Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization at the Department of Veterans Affairs, was charged on Mar. 25 with allegedly failing to disclose thousands of dollars in cash, casino chips, gift cards, and other gifts he received from contractors while leading a major project.
The case is significant because it involves allegations that a senior federal official accepted undisclosed gifts while overseeing the $16 billion acquisition and deployment of the VA’s Electronic Health Records solution—one of the largest information technology contracts in federal government history.
According to a three-count indictment issued on Mar. 25, Windom concealed his acceptance—and at times demand—of extravagant gifts from contractors and subcontractors working on the project between 2017 and 2021. The indictment charges him with Concealment of Material Facts, False Statements, and Falsification of a Record or Document for not reporting these gifts as required by law.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said: “As alleged, the defendant exploited his senior position for personal gain and concealed gifts and financial relationships that created serious conflicts of interest in the health care of our nation’s veterans. Such conduct is not only a betrayal of the public trust—it undermines confidence in the institutions dedicated to serving those who have sacrificed for this country. Our office will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute public corruption wherever it occurs, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the integrity of the programs that support America’s veterans.”
Cheryl L. Mason, Inspector General for Veterans Affairs, said: “This indictment sends a clear message that the VA OIG is committed to holding individuals accountable, including VA employees who are alleged to have misused their position of public trust for personal gain.”
If convicted on all counts—including falsification (maximum sentence: 20 years) and making false statements (maximum sentence: five years per count)—Windom faces substantial prison time as well as potential financial penalties. The maximum statutory sentences are set by Congress; however, an indictment is only an allegation until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation involved cooperation among several agencies including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C., FBI Washington Field Office, and Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
