Congress’ top doc resigns amid probe into toxic work environment, claims he made staff cut lawmakers’ toenails

Dr Brian Monahan has resigned as the Navy physician who led the Capitol’s Office of the Attending Physician, amid a military investigation into alleged mistreatment of staff and concerns about the office’s practices. The claims matter because the office provides medical care to lawmakers, their staff and Supreme Court justices, and also handles some prescriptions.

Staff complaints include being told to cut lawmakers’ toenails and deliver medication to private homes, working 70- to 80-hour weeks, and facing threats to bonuses if they complained. A Defence Department inspector general report also found weak oversight of prescription medicines, including sleep aids and painkillers that were not properly tracked, creating health and safety risks. Monahan had held the post since 2009.