Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins is appealing to the VA to provide details on why a former physician’s assistant was hired, even with a prior record of committing indecent acts.

In the letter, Jenkins and Kansas Representative Kevin Yoder, ask Deputy Inspector General Linda Halliday about the hiring of Mark Wisner. At least eight former patients have accused Wisner of committing sexual battery and other crimes at the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth. He is no longer employed at the VA.

Jenkins says the most disturbing part of learning of Wisner’s prior record that he still passed the initial background check and was not given any further background checks during his employment.

“The failure to thoroughly screen a VA employee put veterans at risk and turned their place of care and support into a hostile environment,” the letter states.

The representatives are asking for answers to nine different questions about Wisner, including asking if the previous decent exposure charge was found in his initial background check.

“Mr. Wisner used his position to prey on vulnerable veterans,” the letter ends. “The breadth of his crimes and victims how that the VA must implement more and better mechanisms for keeping disturbed individuals like him away from veterans who come to the VA seeking help.”