VA Police withdrew my Tentative Offer AFTER I was found suitable — Chief Googled me and overrode the adjudicator. Is this legal? What are my options?

Post: I’m looking for guidance after a hiring situation with VA Police that feels really off and possibly illegal.

I received a Tentative Offer for a VA Police Officer position. I completed all pre-employment steps — fingerprints, medical, psychological evaluation — and VA Personnel Security in North Little Rock cleared me under reciprocity based on my current, favorably adjudicated Tier 5 / TS-SCI.

I have an email from the VA adjudicator himself stating I was found suitable.

Despite this, the police Chief googled me, found an old news article about a false allegation from a prior job years ago (I have sworn statements, investigative findings, and the case was dismissed), and told HR he had a “feeling” about me.

The adjudicator called me personally and told me: • The suitability decision was favorable. • The Chief’s googling and personal opinion led to the TJO being rescinded. • He said he cannot overturn it but implied what the Chief did was improper and that I “need to challenge it.”

Now HR says it wasn’t a suitability denial, but the official letter withdrawing the offer claims it was suitability under federal hiring rules.

Suitability is blaming HR. HR is blaming suitability. The Chief is not a hiring authority but appears to have influenced the withdrawal using outside-the-process information.

I’ve already: • Filed an OIG complaint • Contacted MSPB, who said a judge might take the case • Preparing Congressional inquiry request • Looking at whether this could qualify as wrongful denial, retaliation, due-process violation, or improper suitability action

Has anyone seen something like this? Is it legal for a VA Police Chief to circumvent an adjudicator’s favorable suitability determination and get an offer pulled because he “googled” the candidate and didn’t like what he found? Do I have grounds for appeal or legal action?

Any advice from HR specialists, lawyers, union reps, or people who have handled VA hiring issues is appreciated.