It's OFFICIAL, even everyday Government Employees are stealing from us....

[ShaneGR]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080408/ap_on_go_ot/government_credit_cards

WASHINGTON - Federal employees charged millions of dollars for Internet dating, tailor-made suits, lingerie, lavish dinners and other questionable expenses to their government credit cards over a 15-month period, congressional auditors say.

A report by the Government Accountability Office, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, examined spending controls across the federal government following reports of credit-card abuse at departments including Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs.

The review of card spending at more than a dozen departments from 2005 to 2006 found that nearly 41 percent of roughly $14 billion in credit-card purchases, whether legitimate or questionable, did not follow procedure — either because they were not properly authorized or they had not been signed for by an independent third party as called for in federal rules to deter fraud.

For purchases over $2,500, nearly half — or 48 percent — were unauthorized or improperly received.

Out of a sample of purchases totaling $2.7 million, the government could not account for hundreds of laptop computers, iPods and digital cameras worth more than $1.8 million. In one case, the U.S. Army could not say what happened to computer items making up 16 server configurations, each of which cost nearly $100,000.

Agencies often could not provide the required paperwork to justify questionable purchases. Investigators also found that federal employees sometimes double-billed or improperly expensed lavish meals and Internet dating for many months without question from supervisors; the charges were often noticed only after auditors or whistle-blowers raised questions.

[whistle]

1. BushCo people love to loot

[Captain Angry]

4. It happens under all administrations

During Clinton's presidency, I had people coming in with their "per diem" slips which was a particular organization's way of buying supplies in a quick fashion. It was supposed to be for emergency purposes where internal billing couldn't handle it.

These people would come in and try to buy a new computer, $100 at a time for weeks. They'd get upset when I wouldn't sell them 1/10th of a monitor every day for 10 days.

There are dishonest people, and there always will be. When people feel put upon, or powerless, some will steal.

[Donnachaidh]

2. Go back to purchase orders

Give plastic to someone who doesn't have to pay the bill at the end of the month is like giving the keys to your bank vault to robbers. :grr:

[Robbien]

3. Employees stole over a billion dollars last year from Veteran Affairs

through their personal use of departmental credit cards, or at least that is what an article this morning said.

The Bush Admin appointee guys at the top set the tone, and what a sleazy decrepit tone it is.