The scandal that erupted in 2014 over long wait times at Veterans Affairs medical centers raised alarming questions about the management of the federal agency entrusted with caring for generations of soldiers.

Top-level resignations ensued, as did vows to reform. But two years later, the agency's handling of scandalous behavior by two high-ranking executives — one of whom is based in the Twin Cities — continues to sow doubts about the VA's commitment to change. Specifically, is the VA willing or capable of holding accountable bureaucrats who manipulated the system for their own gain?

The VA's Feb. 22 news conference on the matter failed to provide clarity. That's an unacceptable outcome, one that should prompt congressional watchdogs to demand answers at a hearing.

Allegations that the two bureaucrats — Diana Rubens and Kimberly Graves — had engaged in misconduct surfaced in an Inspector General's report last year. Rubens works for the VA in Philadelphia; Graves is based in St. Paul. They were accused of pressuring lower-ranking employees to move out of jobs so that they could take those spots, keeping their higher-level pay while serving in positions with fewer responsibilities.

Rubens and Graves were moved out of the VA's senior executive ranks. But rulings earlier this year by administrative law judges effectively concluded that the VA had bungled their demotions. The judges found that the two had displayed unsound judgment, but ruled that they had been unfairly disciplined because other high-ranking officials who had signed off on their moves had not been punished. Because of this, Rubens and Graves were reinstated, a regrettable development made public Feb. 2, by VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson.

To his credit, Gibson said at the time that he would consider other discipline for all involved. Those who monitored his news conference expected to hear more details. Instead, they got a pep rally for Rubens and Graves, with Gibson touting his confidence in each and announcing that the two would be reinstated to their previous positions in Philadelphia and St. Paul. It had been unclear after the rulings if Graves and Rubens would only be moved back into senior ranks or if they would also get to keep the jobs they had finagled.

Remarkably, Gibson announced that he had made the decision to reinstate both of them in Philadelphia and St. Paul before the completion of an internal report that will form the basis of any disciplinary actions for Graves, Rubens and two other officials. But he added that he did not expect these actions would "get in the way" of the duo serving as regional office directors.

Gibson also lamented that Rubens and Graves have been "tried and convicted in the court of public opinion." And he belittled the Inspector General's office, saying the facts did not support its conclusions.

Gibson's latest remarks suggest a stunning tone-deafness about the dearth of public confidence in his agency. A spokeswoman for Gibson said last week that an editorial writer hadn't given him enough time to provide "thoughtful" responses to questions about the cases. A congressional hearing is necessary to force Gibson to explain how his recent decisions add up to accountability at the VA.