Senate Dems receive secret testimony from disgruntled ex-employee of veterans group ahead of Pete Hegseth confirmation hearings: report 

A disgruntled former employee of veterans advocacy group once led by Pete Hegseth has reportedly provided Senate Democrats with ammunition to use against the defense secretary-designate ahead of his confirmation hearings. 

A 2014 performance review obtained by the Washington Free Beacon shows that Kat Dugan, a former state director at Concerned Veterans for America, received poor marks at the organization when Hegseth served as the nonprofit’s CEO. 

Dugan is now playing a central role in the effort to discredit President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon by providing secret testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee and urging some of her former colleagues to do the same, the outlet reported Wednesday.

 “When calling, state ‘I am calling as a whistleblower and understand that my identity will be protected’ once confirmation is received, simply state any information. They are asking for any supporting documents,” Dugan reportedly wrote in a message to a former CVA employee. 

She directed former colleagues to contact a Democratic aide on the committee and added that “anyone speaking to the below contact is strictly anonymous and CANNOT be subpoenaed to testify IF a confirmation hearing proceeds.”

The Washington Free Beacon reported that Hegseth’s allies believe Dugan was behind a series of negative media reports – alleging that Hegseth ran CVA like a “a college frat house” – dating back to 2018. 

Hegseth’s backers also say that Dugan’s poor performance at CVA and her eventual departure from the group on bad terms suggest a motive for her alleged claims. 

Dugan’s eight months of work at CVA was “lackluster as compared to other state directors” her performance review stated, according to the Washington Free Beacon. 

“Her ability to lead a team is average, at best. Whether it is focusing on the wrong faults, not praising the right strengths, or personality conflicts, her leadership is rather ineffective,” the review, which was not authored by Hegseth, continued. “While it may seem odd, I do believe there is potential to lead in almost everyone. However, it has not manifested itself in tangential [sic] form with Kathleen.” 

Dugan, who filed multiple disability claims before tendering her resignation,was employed by CVA between April 2014 and December 2014.

The performance review was written in October 2014. 

Dugan did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.