Personnel Security Officer DOI - Bureau of Reclamation Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:28 AM
Other than verified accidental mistakes ... stiffer penalties (reinforced with training to the card holder) should be imposed.
Obvious intentional misuse should impose the following:
A first single minor offense should include a 1 - 3 day suspension and a salary garnishment of the employee's pay to recover the $ value of the misuse.
A first single major offense should include a 15 day suspension and a salary garnishment of the employee's pay to recover the $ value of the misuse plus the cost of investigating the matter.
Any second separate offense (singular or multiple) should result in a termination and debarment from Federal employment (including that as a contractor) and a reduction in the individual's separation monetary entitlement (accrued leave value, retirement contributions, or other similar aspect) equal to $ value of the misuses plus the cost of investigating the matter.
Matters like these cause long lasting bad impression in the minds of ... ?
Re: The public, other Gov't employees, and I care !
Dod Civilian Dod, Air Force Resreve Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:07 AM
Is there a double standard? I know military people that have been punished under UCMJ for this including lost rank and removal from service. I can understand a mistake. But, I have been a travel card holder for appox. ten years and I have never used the card for anything other than official bussiness. The purpose of the card is to simplify the process for people on gov travel not provide a means for individuals to make purchases for personal reasons. The penalties should be fair and equally imposed on all card holders, no exceptions for branch of service, civil service, rank, duty position etc...
Use of Government Credit Cards
Adjudication Officer DHS/CIS Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:29 AM
I do not care...whether it is a Travel Card or the GSA Purchase card....IT IS A GOVERNMENT CREDIT CARD for OFFICIAL USE only. Don't tell me the holder of this card is not aware of that, because I am not buying that either.
At one time, I held a government purchase card and I can assure you that everytime I used it, the managing official knew about it, the charge was properly funded and authorized and the goods/services received as ordered. At no time did I even think about using that card for a personal purchase. This is absurd and as far as I am concerned, such an offense should be grounds for immediate dismissal.
When I changed positions, I turned the card in as I was suppose to. Nothing hard about that!
As to the travel card, I do not even think about it unless I am on official travel for the government. I do not charge anything on it but items related to the travel. Period. The problem is that the rules are not enforced! And that should be punishable as well!!
Diff Between Purchase Cards and Travel Cards
ER Spec pretending to be an accountant DoD Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:34 AM
This comment concerns travel cards. Two issues (1) Misuse; (2) Delinquency in paying legitimate charges.
What is the harm to the govt when an employee charges non-travel, unauthorized personal items to the card so long as the employee pays it back in a timely manner? In fact, it is to the benefit to the govt and the credit card company. To the govt--better bargaining power with the credit card co.---To the credit card company--more profit.
Delinquency is a separate matter but the card company still makes out when it charges 29 bones a month after 90 days delinquency. The only cost to the agency is that it has to keep track of delinquencies so it can report to whoever wants to know.
Re: Diff Between Purchase Cards and Travel Cards
HR (labor) USAF Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:25 PM
Clarify please? If you use a gov't "purchase" card to acquire goods an services for personal use, never intending to pay for them yourself and trick ole inattentive Uncle Sugar's bookkeeper into paying for them, that's a crime and should be dealt with severely.
But if you are forced by Uncle Sugar to use a personal credit "travel" card issued to you personally by a commercial bank so both Uncle Sugar and the commercial bank can make money everytime you are required to use it; AND you pay the bill each month; And you are reimbursed only for expenses incurred on and for official business, why should anyone give a rip if you also purchase beer and gas with it?
Uncle Sugar and the commercial banks started issuing these cards to make money and for their own convenience. If a few bad credit risks also happen to be federal employees that don't pay their bills, it serves Uncle Sugar and the commercial banks right if they loose money on their scheme.
Re: Diff Between Purchase Cards and Travel Cards
acct tech dfas Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:11 PM
obviously this person has no moral--or even legal-ethics to say in essence who cares? and delinquency affects gov't regarding it's reliability, hence cost to us, taxpayers
Credit Card Abuse
Emergency Management Specialist DOE Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:35 AM
As a 28 year Federal employee I have witnessed some of the abuse. Most card holders, like myself, would never consider charging anything item on our cards that is not an legal, authorized expenditure. I am realistic, there will always be people who will try (and sometimes succeed) to make personal charges on these cards. They consider it their licence to steal. Usually, they are caught and action is taken against them. A simple solution is for agencies to closely review all charges and question any suspicious charges, like the designer suits. If an explaination is not believable then the agency should take whatever steps necessary to recover the funds from fraudulent purchases and take action against the personnel making the charges. There are more honest card holders than dishonest card holders, unfortunately we are punished for the few.
Charge Card Abuse? Who Cares?
Editor DoD Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:36 AM
I've been reading several articles on this subject lately, and I feel like I'm (alone) in the Twilight Zone or something! I care! I take my responsibility as a government credit cardholder very seriously. I suppose I could ignore threats of being audited (after all, we haven't had one since I've been a cardholder), but what about personal integrity and honesty? Is the world at large becoming devoid of these virtues? I don't hold myself up as some kind of hero or anything - it's just that it's been instilled in me that misusing ANYONE else's money is wrong and then there is the fear of getting caught if I ever was tempted to cheat the Government. I argued in another forum on this subject that our agency's cardholders are blocked even from using vendors like Walmart - I don't understand why companies like dating services can't be automatically blocked! But I guess people determined to break the law will find a way. Maybe the first rule should be screening potential cardholders!
Ethics and Charge Cards
Asset Manager GSA Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:36 AM
I'm a Baby Boomer - worked for Government, City, County, State and Federal for a total of 40+years, 27 with the Feds. The real issue with Credit and Purchase Card abuse is ETHICS. In the last 8-10 years, the Feds have promoted and hired young, fresh out of college people and put them on the fast track to mid-level management. An alarming percentage of these younger employees are devoid of Ethics and Standards in their personal character. They figure the Government "owes" it to them. Where do you supposed they learned that? Liberal Colleges or at home. It defies understanding -- When GAO sends their reports to Agency officials - it would be good to investigate the ethics of those that receive the reports.
Additionally - in case no one noticed Nepotism is rampant in the government.
Re: Ethics and Charge Cards
Retired DOD USAF Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:40 PM
I have been retired 9 years. I was a Division Chief in charge of professional engineers and logistics specialists when they started
passing out these cards. I objected strongly to handing out credit cards to folks that were personally poor credit risks. I knew that we would spend the rest of our careers dealing with these bums. Their unions would fight us every time we tried to discipline them. I set up internal controls on the cards used for supplies and had little problem. There is no excuse for managers letting this abuse continue. The travel cards are harder. Take them away when they misuse them --then they claim they cant travel --cant do their job!
Thankfully I don't have baby sit these irresponsible"adults" anymore.
Society has taught the young folks that you don't have to be responsible for your actions. Just like the mortgage mess.
No excuses--hold them accountable
Directorate Secretary NGB Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:40 AM
I just don't understand how this happens! Where I work, someone monitors the transactions, and monthly the questionable information is passed on to the directors for action as necessary. With all the stringent rules in place, I think these employees should be fired. It boils down to ethics, or lack thereof. People need to be held accountable for their actions. Those folks who abused the system make it look bad for those of us who do the right and ethical thing. You should always do the right things even when no one is looking!!
Gov't credit card/purchase card abuse
Labor Relations Specialist IRS Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:44 AM
I am OUTRAGED by federal employees using government credit cards and/or purchase cards for their own personal use! If they can't afford to buy the items themselves with their finances or financing, then that's too bad. Who do they think they are and why do they think the government should foot the bills for their personal purchases? It's those type of employees who give other government employees a bad name. This issue involves ethics, trust, honesty, and fairness and I can't understand why all federal employees don't view violations such as intentional, unauthorized personal purchases as a major problem. I hope the guilty employees are prosecuted to the full extent of the law, or at the very minimum, be fired from their jobs, not allowed to seek other government employment, and be required to pay back what they spent. If appeals are filed by these employees, third parties should uphold management's decisions.
Oversight?
Billing Official DoD Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:52 AM
Government credit card holders "report" to a billing official. This official is responsible and LIABLE for unauthorized card usage. If a card holder can make unauthorized purchases for 4 years without detection (not to mention the other questionable purchases), the billing official is not doing their job. I oversee almost $2M and hundreds of individual purchases per month using the IMPAC card. I know what each expendature is, and what it was for. The "system" does have adequate checks and balances if the individual assigned does what is required. The agency program manager also assigns purchasing ability using codes. For example, if a card holder attempts to make a purchase at a liquor store, the coding should reject the purchase. While the rules are legion, they are quite clear as to what can and cannot be purchased. I see this as a failing of very few people, not agency policy. Excuses are like arm pits ... we all have them and they don't smell good!
Use of government c harge cards
E.E. Army Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:19 AM
The problem is definitely a problem with supervision. A certain of individual card holders will always be crooked, and another percentage will be on the edge of being illegal. But where is the supervision? Colluding? The NASA episode seems so. And where are the auditors? Incompetent? Also colluding? The idea that everyone in the chain of responsibility is crooked or incompetent is what's most disturbing.
And there's the attitude passed down from the top and permeating to the lower levels. A good many years ago material was stolen from my base over the course of several months. The culprits, from the organizer to the security guards involved, were fired. The local U.S. Attorney's office refused to prosecute anyone. The outright theft of "only" $100,000 worth of Army property just wasn't worth their time. With an attitude like that is it any wonder people feel free to work the system?
Charge Card Abuse
Spercial Projects Rep USDA Rural Development Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:21 AM
I just don't get it, how does this happen?
I work in Olympia, I went up to Seattle last week to speak at a conference. One day, in and out, government car, no meal, no travel, but I paid ten bucks to park in a parking garage. The paperwork I had to fill out to get my ten dollar reimbursement was, well significant. There is no 'petty cash' drawer so this method of disbursing funds has lots of people looking over each others shoulders. It's really inefficient but I guess that is what it takes to keep people from defrauding the government.
I hate to think that we have to accept that we are EITHER going to be hugely wasteful through inefficient accountabilty procedures OR that we have to accept that there will be fraud.
I've worked for the US government for over 35 years and I don't think I have never attemted to defraud the government. I am sure I am typical of many federal employees but unfortunately business as usual, or 'good news' is no news.
Credit Card Abuse
Program Information Management Resource Analyst HHS Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:21 AM
I have made purchases for our office using a purchase credit card for many years. I have never purchased anything without the permission of my Regional Manager. There are many more honest employees than dishonest ones.
Charge Card Abuse
IRS Agent IRS Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:25 AM
While I cannot speak for other government employees, this entire mess makes me ill and hoping mad. Working for the nations tax collector is a challegening enough job made that much more difficult by stories such as this. Try assessing and collecting additional taxes from people when they see articles like this. Why don't you spend your time going after the people cheating the system instead of wasting my time and money is the general reply that we get from taxpayers. Now they will be telling us to police the federal employees that hired the escort or paid for their girlfriend's breast implant, and can you really blame them. Yes, you have to address this to keep public confidence in the system. To end, prosecute, make the guilty pay restitution or give it back to the agency (can you imagine the g/f's anger when she is told to pay up or we'll take them out), the fire the SOB's. End of problem, end of story.
Charge Card Abuse? Who Cares?
Supervisory Contract Specialist Internal Revenue Service Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:15 AM
Abuse of a Government issued charge card really comes in two basic flavors. The first, which primarily involves Travel Cards, only harms the Government, and then only indirectly, when the holder incurs charges that are not connected with, and/or related to, authorized travel. So long as the card issuer's monthly billing is paid timely, no one is harmed. The problem, of course, is that there is a directly correlation between abusive use and unpaid bills.
The second form of charge card abuse is that which involves the use of Purchase Cards that are centrally billed and paid by the agency disbursing office. This form of abuse, when it involves the diversion of supplies and services to personal, or third party, benefit/use, more appropriately falls under "misappropriation of funds." That is a felony, and it should be dealt with as such. Furthermore, the abusing card holder's Approving Official should be investigated for, at the very least, dereliction of duty.
Who Cares
Traveling Employee VA Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:47 AM
Government credit cards are issued to each employee just the same as a personal charge card. The employee is responsible for paying off the balance each month; so, aside from presenting a public record of your own personal tastes, i.e. gambling, strip clubs, etc. as long as the employee pays off the balance for that month, who really cares?
Now if an employee fails to pay off the balance then the agency should come down hard with disciplinary action.
Personally, I use my own personal charge card and redeem the perks myself rather than have any perks going to some undeserving grossly overpaid high ranking political appointee in the agency!!
Re: Who Cares
Federal Manager & Retired Military Independent Agency Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:00 PM
Unbelievable. It's answers like this that show why the VA lacks both customer service and accountability. What an ignorant answer. Taxpayers don't pay for federal employees to utilize personnel hours, government equipment, and contracts with credit card providers to load the wallets of federal employees with credit cards for personal use.
Re: Who Cares
Traveling Employee VA Sun May 31, 2009 5:26 PM
You missed the point, I use my personal card for my personal business. I see you are retired military, apparently with an ax to grind. Did some of your claimed 35 disbilities get denied?
Why don't they just take the credit cards away?
Confused Army Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:06 PM
Ralph,
Since the system is so consistently rife with abuse, and the isue so seriously undermines confidence in the government, why don't our lawmakers just stand up for what's right and stop the abuse by stopping the use of these cards? Simple solution for a simple problem, right? I mean this is a serious issue? Far be it from members of Congress or the GAO to use an issue like this for political grandstanding. I mean, GAO is all, like, non-political, right?
Re: Why don't they just take the credit cards away
UL Manager ICE Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:41 PM
Nice try. Taking the card away from the employee severely limits which tasks the employee can do. An employee who travels a lot, for example. Many employees would love to get rid of the travel card and use their own for travel (they would receive the points, etc.) but agencies insist that employees use the govt card.
With the use of Purchase Cards, I think you get what you pay for; so to speak. We all know Purchase Cards were issused to cut down on the number of purchasing agents. The function was assigned to someone inside a service as a collateral duty. Well each year the paperwork and responsibility of the Purchase Card holder has gone up and up. After being the purchase card holder for the last 5 years I can not get rid of this extra duty. My boss has even critized me for not getting all of my other work done. When I have just spent 8 doing paperwork for the purchase card.
Sad Commentary
Computer Specialist DoD Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:16 PM
It's sad that any government managers with that attitude exist. By not caring, evidently they don't mind the waste of their own tax dollars! We all pay for this, if not directly financially, in the contempt of those fellow citizens whose interests we are supposed to be protecting.
Stealing is still a crime
Resource Tech USDA Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:18 PM
I think you will find an overwhelming number of honest government employees out here who DO care about the abuse of purchase cards. Stealing is still a crime and should be punishable by law with loss of their job, pension, etc., restitution, and jail time for committing a felony. There are plenty of law abiding Americans who can do a better job.
Purchase Card vs Travel Card
Program Management Officer GSA Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:59 PM
I do not condone abuse of either type of card, but there is a critical difference in the 2 that should be recognized. Purchase card bills are sent to and paid by the agency's finance department. Charging personal expenses (or extravagances, or embezzlement) essentially amount to theft of government funds. Travel card bills on the other hand are sent directly to, and paid by, the employee. Authorized travel expenses are reimbursed so it's a net wash for the employee. Unauthorized charges presumably would not be reimbursed, they would be paid with the employee's own money. I don't mean to excuse inappropriate use of the travel card, (I have in fact cancelled an employee's card for misuse) but please recognize that purchase card abuse is much more serious.
Misuse of government credit cards
Area Director (retired) USDA-AMS-Cotton Div. Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:46 PM
I have had one experience of trying to get backing from my superiors when I discovered a subordinate charging personal expenses to a government credit card and received none. The $65. misuse was considered too small to be concerned about. The employee turned in her resignation when when I personally attempted action. I think superiors who tolerate such action by employees should face prosecution as an accomplice to the crime.
Charge Card Abuse
Manager DOE Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:43 PM
We should not experience one case of abuse. Those responsible should be terminated and prosecuted to the fullest; a long with their direct superior, and maybe even the next level of supervision. A federal employee should be an example to emulate for the rest of the work place in this country.
Take a stand people! Rekindle this virtue called integrity! Self proclaimed entitlements are not what made this Country great.
Your articles is not entirely 100% informed about what is occurring in government with credit cards checks and balances. I work for the government 13 + years. I suffer a mental lapse due to depression, bipolar, reaction to drugs, and poor medical caretakers. As a result of these occurrences a lot of brain cells get used and I did not remember very much for over 6 years. I used the credit card to purchase items I learned is abusive iei. A piece of luggage as my one piece for travel came apart at the airport during a government trip. I purchased perscription med's in-between travel, personal and official travel. I was having recurrent memory lapses, confusion and sick. I purchased $250+ dollars of clothing. I purchase water and food to eat while on travel at Wal Mart, drug store etc., all occurred over a period of 1-year as audited. Management suspended me 5 days. Even thou I paid faithfully every charge except for 2 late payments, extenuating circumstances did not count
Re: Credit Card Abuse
HR Supv GSA Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:10 PM
Very cute. Although it did take me minute!
Card abuse, not always!
IT Specialist USDA Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:09 PM
I'm sure what happened to me is not unusual, but would be included in their "abuse" listing. I was charged for someone else's items & could not get them removed from the account (although the wonderful people at SATO really tried to help me!) Bank of America had another person's name, but my number in error. My agency wouldn't reimburse me since it was not my name on the charges (& I was actually on travel in another city at the time), Bank of America would not remove the items because they were under my number. They had a collection agency calling & they told my young children that their mother is a crook & will go to jail for a long time. I hope someone looks at what is really going on before they get too critical! BOA just purchased my local bank (LaSalle in Chicago) and I am in the process of closing all 6 of our family and business accounts there - I hope they go out of business!!
I agree. Few people care about government corruption anymore. People inside and outside the Government just expect it. A lot of people are just collecting a steady paycheck, and ethics take a back seat to naked greed. Still, most people are relatively honest and won't steal.
Charge Card Abuse. Who Cares?
Attorney-Advisor - Civilian U.S. Air Force Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:28 AM
You state, "I realize the difference between purchase cards and travel cards. . . . . A number of people with the cards take the position that using a government card for personal use is not a problem." You may "realize the difference", but it's not 100% clear that you do. A Government Purchase Card (IMPAC card) that's mis-used results in government (taxpayer) financial liability. Mis-use of the Government Travel Card (GTC) does not. The GTC is the employee's credit card, obtained by the gov't solely for official gov't travel-related expenses, but GTC use places financial liability only upon the employee, not the gov't. While GTC use for expenses not related to gov't travel is unauthorized, it does not and cannot result in gov't financial liability, a major, major difference between the two types of cards. So, abuse of the IMPAC (gov't purchase) card is very substantially different from abuse of the GTC, a difference often ignored when "gov't credit card abuse" is reported.
Re: Charge Card Abuse. Who Cares?
HR (labor) USAF Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:48 AM
Agree!! If you use a gov't "purchase" card to acquire goods an services for personal use, never intending to pay for them yourself and trick ole inattentive Uncle Sugar's bookkeeper into paying for them, that's a crime and should be dealt with severely.
But if you are forced by Uncle Sugar to use a personal credit "travel" card issued to you personally by a commercial bank so both Uncle Sugar and the commercial bank can make money everytime you are required to use it; AND you pay the bill each month; And you are reimbursed only for expenses incurred on and for official business, why should anyone give a rip if you also purchase beer and gas with it?
Uncle Sugar and the commercial banks started issuing these cards to make money and for their own convenience. If a few bad credit risks also happen to be federal employees that don't pay their bills, it serves Uncle Sugar and the commercial banks right if they loose money on their scheme.
Poor example, misleading report
UL Manager ICE Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:19 PM
Well, as any fed who travels a lot can tell you, this is a misleading report. As far as I know, a fed can purchase just about anything he wants with his travel card while on travel, as long as it's within per diem. The statement, ..."examples of federal employees who were engaging in activity that certainly appears suspicious." is somewhat incorrect in that who cares what the employee buys with his or her per diem money? For example, at $65 a day for a 120-day out-of-town detail, I may buy a few very expensive meals, a nice suit (or two) or some music CDs. Heck, I may buy that $300 bottle of french wine I've been wanting to try. Yup, I may buy all of that instead of spending it on alcohol or saving it for a rainy day. If it's that big of a deal, I will just withdraw the cash from an ATM, charge the govt the transaction fees and buy the above items with cash. You see, it really doesn't matter what I do with MY money. Am I off base here? Have I misread the travel regs?
Re: Poor example, misleading report
Just retired IRS Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:27 AM
The report is not talking about travel cards. It's about abuse of purchase cards for which teh governemnt receives the bill.
Credit Card abuse
Civil Service Employee DOD Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:14 PM
wow....I was recently reading about this! The postmaster that got caught..all they did to him was a slap on the wrist and he had to repay it back--
if it was any other citizen..we would have had to serve time in the Federal Prison!!!
Wrong on their part!!!
Credit card abuse
HR Specialist FDA Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:28 AM
FDA employees routinely abuse their credit cards with no penalty whatsoever. Many have had their cards taken away because of the abuse, but these folks never have to pay for their sins, nor does anything go into their OPF. Instead, they give them a big cash award or bonus to pay off the fraudulent charges! Now that's what I call an outstanding Reward & Recognition Program....and folks wonder what's wrong with FDA!
Cardholders not Signing for Items
Analyst DA Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:23 AM
I'm not sure what this is supposed to mean or prove:
In its summary, GAO says that it "asked agencies to provide documentation on selected transactions to prove that the purchase of goods or services had been properly authorized and that when the good or service was delivered, an individual other than the cardholder received and signed for it."
Not all GPC holders are authorized to sign for items. The GPC holder can buy what they were directed to buy, but they can't put it on the hand receipt. Someone else has the authority to add things to the hand receipt. That's how some offices manage the TWO systems - GPC and HR are two separate things.
I'm not sure what GAO was trying to prove with that statement.
Re: Cardholders not Signing for Items
Retired Commerce Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:17 AM
Internal controls will vary across agencies, but there are standard checks and balances which have been lost in the purchase card system.
A proper purchase will have documented authority to expend the funds from the person controlling the funds, a properly executed purchase in accordance with FAR by the cardholder, and a documented receipt of the goods by someone other than the cardholder. This demonstrates that the expenditure of the funds was authorized, the purchase was made according to procurement rules and that the goods were received by the agency and not diverted to personal use.
A supervisor with budget authority can direct a purchase but they cannot alter the procurement rules that govern that purchase.
The real question is where were the Approving Officials who were suppose to see that the rules were followed and purchases were proper.
Uncle Sam knew this would happen
sr procurement analyst State Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:15 AM
Uncle Sam knew this would happen and didn't care...as these risks were taken into consideration when Uncle forced the cards onto federal customers to eliminate the purchasing agents/buyers who used to do the buying. The abuses were "built" into the program. Believe me, Uncle Sam is getting a good deal and saved lots of salary and benefit money when he eliminated these buyers jobs and benefits.
Re: Uncle Sam knew this would happen
Supv DOD Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:40 AM
You hit the nail on the head. I was a supv of purchasing agents which one by one had to find another job. They were the best stewards of tax payers money! They KNEW their job in and out and saved the government alot of money, both in terms of paying less and in administrative costs. They done their jobs so well, I believe, that the government thought anyone could do this. Then came the pc and they gave the cards to anyone and that's when all the problems started. So instead of going back to the purchasing agents and rehiring them, they left it and the problems continue. Everyone's answer to this, put more regulations out there and that will fix things. Well that's not true, it just makes you want to scream. Now the system is too overbearing and abuse still exists. I say, hire purchasing agents, make it their job, stop with the collateral duty stuff and give them ethics trng. Give them the dignity they deserve, stop trying to make everybody and anybody a cardholder!
Who cares? I DO! & so do many others
Equal Employment Specialist USDA Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:36 AM
I am deeply offended by the insinuation that Federal employeew don't care and even further, that we all are unethical crooks. It is too easy to pontificate such garbage. Yes, there are employees who are just that. However, most are not. As others have said, my agency also monitors activity and takes action - as allowed. The good and bad is that the Federal process takes time and includes the right of due process. Then throw in abuse of power and position, union grievances, the EEO process, and the push for alternative dispute resolution - all of which can, and often is, misused and abused.
Re: Who cares? I DO! & so do many others
UL Manager ICE Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:43 AM
I know two things. Well, really, more like four things in total, but two things related to this issue:
Govt employees ARE held accountable when they abuse their postions by doing boneheaded things like this. However, the media gets it wrong time and again by confusing the issue and misreporting what actually happens. I do think there's been a lot of misinformation with regard to this article: yes, some employees make improper purchases. Some spend way too much for items either not needed or that could be acquired less expensively. And yes, some employees on occasion make boneheaded decisons. The govt acquisition process is so convoluted that even tax professionals are stymied. But to convict in the media a large swath of govt employees for the improper action of a very few (who may no longer be employed) is yellow journalism at its worst. As this issue has caused so much grief, it's obvious that it has touched some nerves. C'mon, folks, there really are more important issues...
FEHB
MGMT ANAL USDA - FSA Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:12 AM
Who would I submit this question to for an answer? Will legislation ever be changed for a Federal employee who carries FEHB Family coverage whose child turns 22 but is still a full-time college student to continue their family coverage; more specifically so the federal employee can continue covering their child while still attending college as a full-time student until at least 25? I realize we have a great benefit in FEHB as far as getting to carry our health insurance into retirement with us, but what most of the private sector has that we Federal employees do not is the option to carry health benefits on our children until age 25 as long as they are full-time college students. My oldest son is 26 and I have paid for a separate health insurance plan for him since he turned 22 to keep him covered under a health plan. You may be asking why is he 26 and still in school.............He graduates with a law degree next month. My youngest son will turn 22 in November of 2008.
Gov't Travel Card Abuse
Labor LawAttorney DoD Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:40 AM
I have 2 beliefs on Gov't Travel Card (GTC) abuse that may explain the "yawn" you reported. First, GTC charges always remain the employee's debt, never the gov't's debt. Second, the gov't still gets its small "piece" of the GTC issuer's money "take" paid by vendors on all GTC charges, whether the GTC charge is for travel or not. In my agency, the first GTC offense brings a reprimand; second offense, we start suspending without pay, to show the employee GTC abuse is financially far too expensive to repeat, e.g., if a $4.00 gallon of gas or a $4.00 hamburger ends up costing the employee $8.00 or $20 (through a suspension without pay), that's a substantial and effective $$$ deterrent. Third offense (if any) brings a healthier suspension and maybe GTC cancellation, leaving the employee to pay official travel costs out-of-pocket and submit receipts to get reimbursed. But overall, GTC charges remain only the employee's debt. What's the major problem here?
Charge Card Abuse
Adjudication Officer DHS Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:52 AM
A while back, under the old INS, I was a Contracting Officer for a local field office. Since I was provided with a government charge card, the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) and I developed an office policy to the effect that any use of the charge card had to be backed by a G514 (Funding Document) signed by the program manager. If the anticipated expenditure was to exceed $200.00, then it had to be reviewed and countersigned by the OIC!
I am proud to say this system worked and I was NEVER involved in any illegal or abusive use of this card! I had documentation to back up the expenditures on my card and was able to balance my monthly statements without any issue.
There is NO EXCUSE for a government employee to engage in the abusive or illegal use of a government charge card! If they do, they should be terminated, period!
The public, other Gov't employees, and I care !
DOI - Bureau of Reclamation
Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:28 AM
Other than verified accidental mistakes ... stiffer penalties (reinforced with training to the card holder) should be imposed.
Obvious intentional misuse should impose the following:
A first single minor offense should include a 1 - 3 day suspension and a salary garnishment of the employee's pay to recover the $ value of the misuse.
A first single major offense should include a 15 day suspension and a salary garnishment of the employee's pay to recover the $ value of the misuse plus the cost of investigating the matter.
Any second separate offense (singular or multiple) should result in a termination and debarment from Federal employment (including that as a contractor) and a reduction in the individual's separation monetary entitlement (accrued leave value, retirement contributions, or other similar aspect) equal to $ value of the misuses plus the cost of investigating the matter.
Matters like these cause long lasting bad impression in the minds of ... ?
Re: The public, other Gov't employees, and I care !
Dod, Air Force Resreve
Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:07 AM
Use of Government Credit Cards
DHS/CIS
Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:29 AM
I do not care...whether it is a Travel Card or the GSA Purchase card....IT IS A GOVERNMENT CREDIT CARD for OFFICIAL USE only. Don't tell me the holder of this card is not aware of that, because I am not buying that either.
At one time, I held a government purchase card and I can assure you that everytime I used it, the managing official knew about it, the charge was properly funded and authorized and the goods/services received as ordered. At no time did I even think about using that card for a personal purchase. This is absurd and as far as I am concerned, such an offense should be grounds for immediate dismissal.
When I changed positions, I turned the card in as I was suppose to. Nothing hard about that!
As to the travel card, I do not even think about it unless I am on official travel for the government. I do not charge anything on it but items related to the travel. Period. The problem is that the rules are not enforced! And that should be punishable as well!!
Diff Between Purchase Cards and Travel Cards
DoD
Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:34 AM
This comment concerns travel cards. Two issues (1) Misuse; (2) Delinquency in paying legitimate charges.
What is the harm to the govt when an employee charges non-travel, unauthorized personal items to the card so long as the employee pays it back in a timely manner? In fact, it is to the benefit to the govt and the credit card company. To the govt--better bargaining power with the credit card co.---To the credit card company--more profit.
Delinquency is a separate matter but the card company still makes out when it charges 29 bones a month after 90 days delinquency. The only cost to the agency is that it has to keep track of delinquencies so it can report to whoever wants to know.
Re: Diff Between Purchase Cards and Travel Cards
USAF
Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:25 PM
But if you are forced by Uncle Sugar to use a personal credit "travel" card issued to you personally by a commercial bank so both Uncle Sugar and the commercial bank can make money everytime you are required to use it; AND you pay the bill each month; And you are reimbursed only for expenses incurred on and for official business, why should anyone give a rip if you also purchase beer and gas with it?
Uncle Sugar and the commercial banks started issuing these cards to make money and for their own convenience. If a few bad credit risks also happen to be federal employees that don't pay their bills, it serves Uncle Sugar and the commercial banks right if they loose money on their scheme.
Re: Diff Between Purchase Cards and Travel Cards
dfas
Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:11 PM
Credit Card Abuse
DOE
Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:35 AM
As a 28 year Federal employee I have witnessed some of the abuse. Most card holders, like myself, would never consider charging anything item on our cards that is not an legal, authorized expenditure. I am realistic, there will always be people who will try (and sometimes succeed) to make personal charges on these cards. They consider it their licence to steal. Usually, they are caught and action is taken against them. A simple solution is for agencies to closely review all charges and question any suspicious charges, like the designer suits. If an explaination is not believable then the agency should take whatever steps necessary to recover the funds from fraudulent purchases and take action against the personnel making the charges. There are more honest card holders than dishonest card holders, unfortunately we are punished for the few.
Charge Card Abuse? Who Cares?
DoD
Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:36 AM
I've been reading several articles on this subject lately, and I feel like I'm (alone) in the Twilight Zone or something! I care! I take my responsibility as a government credit cardholder very seriously. I suppose I could ignore threats of being audited (after all, we haven't had one since I've been a cardholder), but what about personal integrity and honesty? Is the world at large becoming devoid of these virtues? I don't hold myself up as some kind of hero or anything - it's just that it's been instilled in me that misusing ANYONE else's money is wrong and then there is the fear of getting caught if I ever was tempted to cheat the Government. I argued in another forum on this subject that our agency's cardholders are blocked even from using vendors like Walmart - I don't understand why companies like dating services can't be automatically blocked! But I guess people determined to break the law will find a way. Maybe the first rule should be screening potential cardholders!
Ethics and Charge Cards
GSA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:36 AM
I'm a Baby Boomer - worked for Government, City, County, State and Federal for a total of 40+years, 27 with the Feds. The real issue with Credit and Purchase Card abuse is ETHICS. In the last 8-10 years, the Feds have promoted and hired young, fresh out of college people and put them on the fast track to mid-level management. An alarming percentage of these younger employees are devoid of Ethics and Standards in their personal character. They figure the Government "owes" it to them. Where do you supposed they learned that? Liberal Colleges or at home. It defies understanding -- When GAO sends their reports to Agency officials - it would be good to investigate the ethics of those that receive the reports.
Additionally - in case no one noticed Nepotism is rampant in the government.
Re: Ethics and Charge Cards
USAF
Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:40 PM
passing out these cards. I objected strongly to handing out credit cards to folks that were personally poor credit risks. I knew that we would spend the rest of our careers dealing with these bums. Their unions would fight us every time we tried to discipline them. I set up internal controls on the cards used for supplies and had little problem. There is no excuse for managers letting this abuse continue. The travel cards are harder. Take them away when they misuse them --then they claim they cant travel --cant do their job!
Thankfully I don't have baby sit these irresponsible"adults" anymore.
Society has taught the young folks that you don't have to be responsible for your actions. Just like the mortgage mess.
No excuses--hold them accountable
NGB
Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:40 AM
I just don't understand how this happens! Where I work, someone monitors the transactions, and monthly the questionable information is passed on to the directors for action as necessary. With all the stringent rules in place, I think these employees should be fired. It boils down to ethics, or lack thereof. People need to be held accountable for their actions. Those folks who abused the system make it look bad for those of us who do the right and ethical thing. You should always do the right things even when no one is looking!!
Gov't credit card/purchase card abuse
IRS
Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:44 AM
I am OUTRAGED by federal employees using government credit cards and/or purchase cards for their own personal use! If they can't afford to buy the items themselves with their finances or financing, then that's too bad. Who do they think they are and why do they think the government should foot the bills for their personal purchases? It's those type of employees who give other government employees a bad name. This issue involves ethics, trust, honesty, and fairness and I can't understand why all federal employees don't view violations such as intentional, unauthorized personal purchases as a major problem. I hope the guilty employees are prosecuted to the full extent of the law, or at the very minimum, be fired from their jobs, not allowed to seek other government employment, and be required to pay back what they spent. If appeals are filed by these employees, third parties should uphold management's decisions.
Oversight?
DoD
Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:52 AM
Government credit card holders "report" to a billing official. This official is responsible and LIABLE for unauthorized card usage. If a card holder can make unauthorized purchases for 4 years without detection (not to mention the other questionable purchases), the billing official is not doing their job. I oversee almost $2M and hundreds of individual purchases per month using the IMPAC card. I know what each expendature is, and what it was for. The "system" does have adequate checks and balances if the individual assigned does what is required. The agency program manager also assigns purchasing ability using codes. For example, if a card holder attempts to make a purchase at a liquor store, the coding should reject the purchase. While the rules are legion, they are quite clear as to what can and cannot be purchased. I see this as a failing of very few people, not agency policy. Excuses are like arm pits ... we all have them and they don't smell good!
Use of government c harge cards
Army
Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:19 AM
The problem is definitely a problem with supervision. A certain of individual card holders will always be crooked, and another percentage will be on the edge of being illegal. But where is the supervision? Colluding? The NASA episode seems so. And where are the auditors? Incompetent? Also colluding? The idea that everyone in the chain of responsibility is crooked or incompetent is what's most disturbing.
And there's the attitude passed down from the top and permeating to the lower levels. A good many years ago material was stolen from my base over the course of several months. The culprits, from the organizer to the security guards involved, were fired. The local U.S. Attorney's office refused to prosecute anyone. The outright theft of "only" $100,000 worth of Army property just wasn't worth their time. With an attitude like that is it any wonder people feel free to work the system?
Charge Card Abuse
USDA Rural Development
Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:21 AM
I just don't get it, how does this happen?
I work in Olympia, I went up to Seattle last week to speak at a conference. One day, in and out, government car, no meal, no travel, but I paid ten bucks to park in a parking garage. The paperwork I had to fill out to get my ten dollar reimbursement was, well significant. There is no 'petty cash' drawer so this method of disbursing funds has lots of people looking over each others shoulders. It's really inefficient but I guess that is what it takes to keep people from defrauding the government.
I hate to think that we have to accept that we are EITHER going to be hugely wasteful through inefficient accountabilty procedures OR that we have to accept that there will be fraud.
I've worked for the US government for over 35 years and I don't think I have never attemted to defraud the government. I am sure I am typical of many federal employees but unfortunately business as usual, or 'good news' is no news.
Credit Card Abuse
HHS
Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:21 AM
I have made purchases for our office using a purchase credit card for many years. I have never purchased anything without the permission of my Regional Manager. There are many more honest employees than dishonest ones.
Charge Card Abuse
IRS
Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:25 AM
While I cannot speak for other government employees, this entire mess makes me ill and hoping mad. Working for the nations tax collector is a challegening enough job made that much more difficult by stories such as this. Try assessing and collecting additional taxes from people when they see articles like this. Why don't you spend your time going after the people cheating the system instead of wasting my time and money is the general reply that we get from taxpayers. Now they will be telling us to police the federal employees that hired the escort or paid for their girlfriend's breast implant, and can you really blame them. Yes, you have to address this to keep public confidence in the system. To end, prosecute, make the guilty pay restitution or give it back to the agency (can you imagine the g/f's anger when she is told to pay up or we'll take them out), the fire the SOB's. End of problem, end of story.
Charge Card Abuse? Who Cares?
Internal Revenue Service
Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:15 AM
Abuse of a Government issued charge card really comes in two basic flavors. The first, which primarily involves Travel Cards, only harms the Government, and then only indirectly, when the holder incurs charges that are not connected with, and/or related to, authorized travel. So long as the card issuer's monthly billing is paid timely, no one is harmed. The problem, of course, is that there is a directly correlation between abusive use and unpaid bills.
The second form of charge card abuse is that which involves the use of Purchase Cards that are centrally billed and paid by the agency disbursing office. This form of abuse, when it involves the diversion of supplies and services to personal, or third party, benefit/use, more appropriately falls under "misappropriation of funds." That is a felony, and it should be dealt with as such. Furthermore, the abusing card holder's Approving Official should be investigated for, at the very least, dereliction of duty.
Who Cares
VA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:47 AM
Government credit cards are issued to each employee just the same as a personal charge card. The employee is responsible for paying off the balance each month; so, aside from presenting a public record of your own personal tastes, i.e. gambling, strip clubs, etc. as long as the employee pays off the balance for that month, who really cares?
Now if an employee fails to pay off the balance then the agency should come down hard with disciplinary action.
Personally, I use my own personal charge card and redeem the perks myself rather than have any perks going to some undeserving grossly overpaid high ranking political appointee in the agency!!
Re: Who Cares
Independent Agency
Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:00 PM
Re: Who Cares
VA
Sun May 31, 2009 5:26 PM
Why don't they just take the credit cards away?
Army
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:06 PM
Ralph,
Since the system is so consistently rife with abuse, and the isue so seriously undermines confidence in the government, why don't our lawmakers just stand up for what's right and stop the abuse by stopping the use of these cards? Simple solution for a simple problem, right? I mean this is a serious issue? Far be it from members of Congress or the GAO to use an issue like this for political grandstanding. I mean, GAO is all, like, non-political, right?
Re: Why don't they just take the credit cards away
ICE
Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:41 PM
Purchase Cards
VHA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:15 PM
With the use of Purchase Cards, I think you get what you pay for; so to speak. We all know Purchase Cards were issused to cut down on the number of purchasing agents. The function was assigned to someone inside a service as a collateral duty. Well each year the paperwork and responsibility of the Purchase Card holder has gone up and up. After being the purchase card holder for the last 5 years I can not get rid of this extra duty. My boss has even critized me for not getting all of my other work done. When I have just spent 8 doing paperwork for the purchase card.
Sad Commentary
DoD
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:16 PM
It's sad that any government managers with that attitude exist. By not caring, evidently they don't mind the waste of their own tax dollars! We all pay for this, if not directly financially, in the contempt of those fellow citizens whose interests we are supposed to be protecting.
Stealing is still a crime
USDA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:18 PM
I think you will find an overwhelming number of honest government employees out here who DO care about the abuse of purchase cards. Stealing is still a crime and should be punishable by law with loss of their job, pension, etc., restitution, and jail time for committing a felony. There are plenty of law abiding Americans who can do a better job.
Purchase Card vs Travel Card
GSA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:59 PM
I do not condone abuse of either type of card, but there is a critical difference in the 2 that should be recognized. Purchase card bills are sent to and paid by the agency's finance department. Charging personal expenses (or extravagances, or embezzlement) essentially amount to theft of government funds. Travel card bills on the other hand are sent directly to, and paid by, the employee. Authorized travel expenses are reimbursed so it's a net wash for the employee. Unauthorized charges presumably would not be reimbursed, they would be paid with the employee's own money. I don't mean to excuse inappropriate use of the travel card, (I have in fact cancelled an employee's card for misuse) but please recognize that purchase card abuse is much more serious.
Misuse of government credit cards
USDA-AMS-Cotton Div.
Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:46 PM
I have had one experience of trying to get backing from my superiors when I discovered a subordinate charging personal expenses to a government credit card and received none. The $65. misuse was considered too small to be concerned about. The employee turned in her resignation when when I personally attempted action. I think superiors who tolerate such action by employees should face prosecution as an accomplice to the crime.
Charge Card Abuse
DOE
Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:43 PM
We should not experience one case of abuse. Those responsible should be terminated and prosecuted to the fullest; a long with their direct superior, and maybe even the next level of supervision. A federal employee should be an example to emulate for the rest of the work place in this country.
Take a stand people! Rekindle this virtue called integrity! Self proclaimed entitlements are not what made this Country great.
Credit Card Abuse
FAA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:36 PM
Your articles is not entirely 100% informed about what is occurring in government with credit cards checks and balances. I work for the government 13 + years. I suffer a mental lapse due to depression, bipolar, reaction to drugs, and poor medical caretakers. As a result of these occurrences a lot of brain cells get used and I did not remember very much for over 6 years. I used the credit card to purchase items I learned is abusive iei. A piece of luggage as my one piece for travel came apart at the airport during a government trip. I purchased perscription med's in-between travel, personal and official travel. I was having recurrent memory lapses, confusion and sick. I purchased $250+ dollars of clothing. I purchase water and food to eat while on travel at Wal Mart, drug store etc., all occurred over a period of 1-year as audited. Management suspended me 5 days. Even thou I paid faithfully every charge except for 2 late payments, extenuating circumstances did not count
Re: Credit Card Abuse
GSA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:10 PM
Card abuse, not always!
USDA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:09 PM
I'm sure what happened to me is not unusual, but would be included in their "abuse" listing. I was charged for someone else's items & could not get them removed from the account (although the wonderful people at SATO really tried to help me!) Bank of America had another person's name, but my number in error. My agency wouldn't reimburse me since it was not my name on the charges (& I was actually on travel in another city at the time), Bank of America would not remove the items because they were under my number. They had a collection agency calling & they told my young children that their mother is a crook & will go to jail for a long time. I hope someone looks at what is really going on before they get too critical! BOA just purchased my local bank (LaSalle in Chicago) and I am in the process of closing all 6 of our family and business accounts there - I hope they go out of business!!
Corruption
USCIS
Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:38 PM
I agree. Few people care about government corruption anymore. People inside and outside the Government just expect it. A lot of people are just collecting a steady paycheck, and ethics take a back seat to naked greed. Still, most people are relatively honest and won't steal.
Charge Card Abuse. Who Cares?
U.S. Air Force
Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:28 AM
You state, "I realize the difference between purchase cards and travel cards. . . . . A number of people with the cards take the position that using a government card for personal use is not a problem." You may "realize the difference", but it's not 100% clear that you do. A Government Purchase Card (IMPAC card) that's mis-used results in government (taxpayer) financial liability. Mis-use of the Government Travel Card (GTC) does not. The GTC is the employee's credit card, obtained by the gov't solely for official gov't travel-related expenses, but GTC use places financial liability only upon the employee, not the gov't. While GTC use for expenses not related to gov't travel is unauthorized, it does not and cannot result in gov't financial liability, a major, major difference between the two types of cards. So, abuse of the IMPAC (gov't purchase) card is very substantially different from abuse of the GTC, a difference often ignored when "gov't credit card abuse" is reported.
Re: Charge Card Abuse. Who Cares?
USAF
Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:48 AM
But if you are forced by Uncle Sugar to use a personal credit "travel" card issued to you personally by a commercial bank so both Uncle Sugar and the commercial bank can make money everytime you are required to use it; AND you pay the bill each month; And you are reimbursed only for expenses incurred on and for official business, why should anyone give a rip if you also purchase beer and gas with it?
Uncle Sugar and the commercial banks started issuing these cards to make money and for their own convenience. If a few bad credit risks also happen to be federal employees that don't pay their bills, it serves Uncle Sugar and the commercial banks right if they loose money on their scheme.
Poor example, misleading report
ICE
Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:19 PM
Well, as any fed who travels a lot can tell you, this is a misleading report. As far as I know, a fed can purchase just about anything he wants with his travel card while on travel, as long as it's within per diem. The statement, ..."examples of federal employees who were engaging in activity that certainly appears suspicious." is somewhat incorrect in that who cares what the employee buys with his or her per diem money? For example, at $65 a day for a 120-day out-of-town detail, I may buy a few very expensive meals, a nice suit (or two) or some music CDs. Heck, I may buy that $300 bottle of french wine I've been wanting to try. Yup, I may buy all of that instead of spending it on alcohol or saving it for a rainy day. If it's that big of a deal, I will just withdraw the cash from an ATM, charge the govt the transaction fees and buy the above items with cash. You see, it really doesn't matter what I do with MY money. Am I off base here? Have I misread the travel regs?
Re: Poor example, misleading report
IRS
Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:27 AM
Credit Card abuse
DOD
Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:14 PM
wow....I was recently reading about this! The postmaster that got caught..all they did to him was a slap on the wrist and he had to repay it back--
if it was any other citizen..we would have had to serve time in the Federal Prison!!!
Wrong on their part!!!
Credit card abuse
FDA
Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:28 AM
FDA employees routinely abuse their credit cards with no penalty whatsoever. Many have had their cards taken away because of the abuse, but these folks never have to pay for their sins, nor does anything go into their OPF. Instead, they give them a big cash award or bonus to pay off the fraudulent charges! Now that's what I call an outstanding Reward & Recognition Program....and folks wonder what's wrong with FDA!
Cardholders not Signing for Items
DA
Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:23 AM
I'm not sure what this is supposed to mean or prove:
In its summary, GAO says that it "asked agencies to provide documentation on selected transactions to prove that the purchase of goods or services had been properly authorized and that when the good or service was delivered, an individual other than the cardholder received and signed for it."
Not all GPC holders are authorized to sign for items. The GPC holder can buy what they were directed to buy, but they can't put it on the hand receipt. Someone else has the authority to add things to the hand receipt. That's how some offices manage the TWO systems - GPC and HR are two separate things.
I'm not sure what GAO was trying to prove with that statement.
Re: Cardholders not Signing for Items
Commerce
Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:17 AM
A proper purchase will have documented authority to expend the funds from the person controlling the funds, a properly executed purchase in accordance with FAR by the cardholder, and a documented receipt of the goods by someone other than the cardholder. This demonstrates that the expenditure of the funds was authorized, the purchase was made according to procurement rules and that the goods were received by the agency and not diverted to personal use.
A supervisor with budget authority can direct a purchase but they cannot alter the procurement rules that govern that purchase.
The real question is where were the Approving Officials who were suppose to see that the rules were followed and purchases were proper.
Uncle Sam knew this would happen
State
Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:15 AM
Uncle Sam knew this would happen and didn't care...as these risks were taken into consideration when Uncle forced the cards onto federal customers to eliminate the purchasing agents/buyers who used to do the buying. The abuses were "built" into the program. Believe me, Uncle Sam is getting a good deal and saved lots of salary and benefit money when he eliminated these buyers jobs and benefits.
Re: Uncle Sam knew this would happen
DOD
Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:40 AM
Who cares? I DO! & so do many others
USDA
Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:36 AM
I am deeply offended by the insinuation that Federal employeew don't care and even further, that we all are unethical crooks. It is too easy to pontificate such garbage. Yes, there are employees who are just that. However, most are not. As others have said, my agency also monitors activity and takes action - as allowed. The good and bad is that the Federal process takes time and includes the right of due process. Then throw in abuse of power and position, union grievances, the EEO process, and the push for alternative dispute resolution - all of which can, and often is, misused and abused.
Re: Who cares? I DO! & so do many others
ICE
Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:43 AM
Govt employees ARE held accountable when they abuse their postions by doing boneheaded things like this. However, the media gets it wrong time and again by confusing the issue and misreporting what actually happens. I do think there's been a lot of misinformation with regard to this article: yes, some employees make improper purchases. Some spend way too much for items either not needed or that could be acquired less expensively. And yes, some employees on occasion make boneheaded decisons. The govt acquisition process is so convoluted that even tax professionals are stymied. But to convict in the media a large swath of govt employees for the improper action of a very few (who may no longer be employed) is yellow journalism at its worst. As this issue has caused so much grief, it's obvious that it has touched some nerves. C'mon, folks, there really are more important issues...
FEHB
USDA - FSA
Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:12 AM
Who would I submit this question to for an answer? Will legislation ever be changed for a Federal employee who carries FEHB Family coverage whose child turns 22 but is still a full-time college student to continue their family coverage; more specifically so the federal employee can continue covering their child while still attending college as a full-time student until at least 25? I realize we have a great benefit in FEHB as far as getting to carry our health insurance into retirement with us, but what most of the private sector has that we Federal employees do not is the option to carry health benefits on our children until age 25 as long as they are full-time college students. My oldest son is 26 and I have paid for a separate health insurance plan for him since he turned 22 to keep him covered under a health plan. You may be asking why is he 26 and still in school.............He graduates with a law degree next month. My youngest son will turn 22 in November of 2008.
Gov't Travel Card Abuse
DoD
Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:40 AM
I have 2 beliefs on Gov't Travel Card (GTC) abuse that may explain the "yawn" you reported. First, GTC charges always remain the employee's debt, never the gov't's debt. Second, the gov't still gets its small "piece" of the GTC issuer's money "take" paid by vendors on all GTC charges, whether the GTC charge is for travel or not. In my agency, the first GTC offense brings a reprimand; second offense, we start suspending without pay, to show the employee GTC abuse is financially far too expensive to repeat, e.g., if a $4.00 gallon of gas or a $4.00 hamburger ends up costing the employee $8.00 or $20 (through a suspension without pay), that's a substantial and effective $$$ deterrent. Third offense (if any) brings a healthier suspension and maybe GTC cancellation, leaving the employee to pay official travel costs out-of-pocket and submit receipts to get reimbursed. But overall, GTC charges remain only the employee's debt. What's the major problem here?
Charge Card Abuse
DHS
Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:52 AM
A while back, under the old INS, I was a Contracting Officer for a local field office. Since I was provided with a government charge card, the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) and I developed an office policy to the effect that any use of the charge card had to be backed by a G514 (Funding Document) signed by the program manager. If the anticipated expenditure was to exceed $200.00, then it had to be reviewed and countersigned by the OIC!
I am proud to say this system worked and I was NEVER involved in any illegal or abusive use of this card! I had documentation to back up the expenditures on my card and was able to balance my monthly statements without any issue.
There is NO EXCUSE for a government employee to engage in the abusive or illegal use of a government charge card! If they do, they should be terminated, period!