Gov. Workers Steal Your Money to Buy Flat-Screens, Face No Consequences

[Geee]

Washington Examiner:

Gov workers steal your money to buy flat-screens, face no consequences
By: J.P. FREIRE
Associate Commentary Editor
05/22/10 10:20 AM EDT

This time it is actual clear-cut stealing, not just cushy benefits — the General Services Administration inspector general reports that employees of the Federal Protective services used government purchase cards to buy gold coins, flat-screen televisions, and even gym memberships. From the Washington Times:

Twenty-one FPS employees took advantage of an 18-month transition period during which the security agency was moved from the General Services Administration to the Department of Homeland Security “to loot GSA resources by purchasing unauthorized goods,” according to the GSA’s office of inspector general.

Investigative documents obtained by The Washington Times through a Freedom of Information Act request said the California-based FPS employees used the government cards to buy, among other things, $17,000 in suits at Macy’s and the Men’s Wearhouse, $15,000 in gold and silver coins, $60,000 in tuition payments and professional memberships, and $8,000 in gym memberships in 2003 and 2004.

The FPS employees, who are responsible for securing federal buildings, also used expense vouchers to get reimbursements for more than $9,000 in clothing, including an $800 tuxedo.

Worse? No one was punished. No one has been prosecuted for the fraud, despite having been twice referred to federal prosecutors. I guess bankers are the only predatory species out there.