Spotlight: VA appeals Merit Board ruling on Adair Martinez

The Department of Veterans Affairs is appealing a Merit Systems Protection Board April 2011 order for the department to reinstate Adair Martinez, an information technology deputy assistant secretary terminated in 2010 following inspector general findings that she misused her position and abused her authority. VA spokeswoman Jo Schuda said Martinez has been reinstated to her position following the board's decision, but is on "non-duty" status, meaning she doesn't report to work. The board's decision did not make a ruling on the substance of the inspector general findings, although Martinez's lawyer has called them into question.