On Monday, April 13, it was announced that Ms. Robin Paul, the VA social worker who received widespread (and heated) criticism over photos circulated featuring the child’s toy, Elf of a Shelf, posed in various scenarios in the transition clinic where she worked with veterans with mental issues, has resigned. She had previously accepted a 90-day suspension of her license as part of a settlement agreement with Indiana state authorities, during which time she was on paid administrative leave from her position.
In the following statement, Ms. Paul refers to the incident as a “misunderstanding” and claims that harassment forced her out of the job:
“The “elf” email I sent in December 2014 was to an internal staff email group following a clinic holiday lunch party. I take full responsibility for sending the email; however, the intent of the email and pictures has been misrepresented. My intent was not to mock Veterans; the intent was to thank the team for their work in dealing with tough issues on a daily basis. The elf did not represent a Veteran; it was a toy elf — nothing more. However, I understand how taken out of context, the email and pictures could be misconstrued. I used poor judgment in sending out this email.
“Since the initial press coverage, my family and I have been subjected to harassment and hostility. I received death threats, my minor child was harassed, and we had to seek police protection. In the best interest of the VA and my family, I voluntarily agreed to a temporary summary suspension of my license pending further investigation.
“Even though I have had an excellent work history with the VA, my career with the VA is effectively over as a result of this incident and the resulting public and political pressure. Accordingly, on April 7, 2015, I voluntarily resigned from the VA. I am truly sorry to our Veterans and anyone else who I offended by my actions — that was not my intent. I seek the public’s forgiveness, and I respectfully request that the public refrain from directing further hatred and hostility toward me, my family or the VA.”
For more details about this incident, access my previous blog here (now updated with additional available photos).
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