Capitol Physician Resigns Amid Misconduct and Oversight Probes

Dr. Brian Monahan has resigned as the U.S. Capitol’s attending physician amid allegations of misconduct and scrutiny of the medical office he led. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said his understanding was that Monahan had resigned. A report also said he was dismissed, while the Navy and Monahan have not publicly addressed the allegations described in the reports.

The Pentagon inspector general found weak oversight at the Office of the Attending Physician, including a gap in clinical quality management. Certain medicines, among them sleep aids and painkillers, were not consistently logged or monitored. Investigators warned that inadequate monitoring of clinical and prescribing practices could expose patients to health and safety risks.

Separate allegations under investigation include whether medications were provided to lawmakers and staff without prescriptions and whether controlled substances were inadequately overseen. Authorities have not disclosed particulars of any alleged distribution without prescriptions. The Navy is also investigating the office, and officials said the inquiry into Monahan’s conduct had been underway for more than a year.

Navy personnel assigned to the office have alleged excessive hours and duties outside their usual medical roles, including clipping a lawmaker’s toenails and delivering medication to a private residence in the middle of the night. One former corpsman described shifts that could extend into the early morning before a regular shift began. The allegations also include threats to withhold bonuses if sailors requested leave.

The inspector general made five recommendations, including putting an independent team in charge of quality checks and creating workplace rules and procedures. Monahan had held the post since 2009; the office provides medical support to lawmakers, aides, justices and people visiting the Capitol grounds.