Memo: Colleagues Accused Jackson of Having ‘Private Stocks of Controlled Substances’

A summary of findings from the Democratic staff of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee details several new allegations against Dr. Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. One of the claims cited in the report is that Jackson would freely prescribe controlled substances without paperwork—earning him the nickname “Candyman.” He allegedly overprescribed the opioid Percocet to a White House military office staff member, and sent other medical staff “into a panic” when they couldn’t account for the missing medication. It also includes an allegation that Jackson wrote himself prescriptions, and then made his physician assistant write the prescriptions after he was caught. He is also accused of getting so drunk at a Secret Service going-away party that he “wrecked a government vehicle.” The summary included descriptions from those who work or previously worked with Jackson, with one colleague saying he was the “most unethical person I have ever worked with.” White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that none of the allegations “have come up in the four separate background investigations that have taken place. There’s been no area of concern that was raised for Dr. Jackson specifically.” Jackson denied the report, insisting he “never wrecked a car.”