IG: IRS credit cards used for wine, pornography

[The Straight Story]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A government watchdog says lax oversight by the Internal Revenue Service allowed workers to use agency credit cards to buy wine for an expensive luncheon and, in one case, romance novels, diet pills and baby clothes.

Two IRS credit cards were used to buy online pornography, though the employees reported the cards stolen. One of the workers reported five agency credit cards lost or stolen.

A report Tuesday by the IRS inspector general found the vast majority of purchases by IRS employees legitimate. However, the report said the IRS has inadequate controls to stop inappropriate purchases.

The report said IRS credit cards paid for 28 bottles of wine at a 2010 luncheon for tax officials from other countries. There were 41 guests.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ig-irs-credit-cards-used-wine-pornography

[Gravitycollapse]

1. 28 bottles of wine for 41 guests? Shit's about to get crazy.

[NightWatcher]

2. Lets help the TeaBaggers by spreading anecdotal anti IRS stories

Then they can get their 22% sales tax and bankrupt us all.

[The Straight Story]

3. Well, we do employ those people with our money, so good idea to keep tabs on em

No matter who is president.

Idiots don't get a free pass because I like their big boss

[NightWatcher]

4. I'm sure that lots of people misuse corporate cards

But we only hear about the IRS from people who then say we can remedy this by closing the IRS.

I never hear storied of FedEx employees who misuse cards.

[datasuspect]

7. fedex is not the federal government

[NightWatcher]

9. I know that and was using as an example

I bet that lots of people misuse cards, but we are only hearing about IRS employees because there are people who want any reason to end the IRS in exchange for a regressive flat tax that would devastate the middle and lower class.

This story is one that TeaBaggers will use as reason to get rid of them. We don't need to forward teabag BS propaganda.

[datasuspect]

10. if you misuse company credit cards

P-Cards and the like, you get fired.

[thetonka]

12. Facts about government corruption and abuse are NOT propaganda

Hiding facts about abuses by government employees just because you are afraid that a fringe group might use it to promote an agenda you disagree with is not productive. I don't care who is in charge, these things need to be brought to the people publicly. Abuse and corruption should NEVER be tolerated or excused or hidden no matter who did it or is responsible.

Argue against a discussion of abuses in order to prevent the enemy from having leverage is just as bad as the other guys lying that their "solutions" will solve all that is wrong today.

We will never have a time when facts and reality are used solely to make decisions that effect us all, if people like you are willing to hide wrong doings just to stop the other guys from getting ahead. Don't be that person!!!! Be better than them!!!

[avaistheone1]

8. If you seriously misuse a corporate card you will be fired.

The remedy for the IRS should be that the offenders pay back the funds as well as it should be noted in their personnel files. If they repeat the offense they should be fired.

The IRS is accountable to the public. A corporation is accountable to private interests. The difference is significant.

[avaistheone1]

5. How about we work to clean up and improve government rather

than worry about our own partisan interests?

[newthinking]

11. By the time the story hit the media it was likely already "dealt with"

People will be people. This kind of thing happens in every industry. You will never completely stop it.

I gaurantee you that the employee(s) involved were dealt with.

Of course, that is not what the media will have you think. They will often leave that part out. They get more attention to their stories that way.

[NoPasaran]

6. Only 28 bottles for 41 guests?

Party like it's 1999 dudes!