Audit finds some employees misused credit cards
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Auditors say state employees used their credit cards for some inappropriate purchases, including a laptop computer, luxury luggage and a trip to Las Vegas.
The Legislative Audit Bureau on Wednesday questioned whether 131 of more than 3,000 credit card purchases, or 4.3 percent, it reviewed were appropriate.
Its report says that oversight is generally adequate and the use of state credit cards for personal gain is rare.
But the report says two employees resigned or were fired after discrepancies were caught. That included a Department of Military Affairs employee who purchased more than $16,000 in laptops and other information technology, and a Department of Natural Resources worker who bought the Vegas trip and other personal items.
Sep 9, 2009 at 9:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
If Diamond Jim Doyle doesn't need to produce receipts for his expenses, why should any other state employee have to?
.
http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/opinion-m...
Sep 9, 2009 at 6:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
The point is that you can submit an expense report that misrepresents the purchases. Anybody who's traveled for business knows how that works.
Tell us how that works. I have never done something like that.
Sep 9, 2009 at 6:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
The audit results are here:http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab/reports/09-8highlights.htm
Sep 9, 2009 at 5:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
It's plain crime that they abuse the credit cards, and they should pay the state back for these purchases.
Sep 9, 2009 at 4:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
The point is that you can submit an expense report that misrepresents the purchases. Anybody who's traveled for business knows how that works.
Sep 9, 2009 at 3:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
From the State purchasing card rules. Departments cannot deviate.
Documentation of Purchases
The State’s accounting and procurement manuals require cardholders to retain original, itemized receipts for each transaction; document each transaction on a purchase record; and sign their purchase records and submit them, along with receipts, to their supervisors for review.
Sep 9, 2009 at 3:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
Get ready for another tax increase.
Sep 9, 2009 at 2:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
go figure
Sep 9, 2009 at 1:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
It is required to submit receipts with your signed credit card statement to your immediate supervisor.
Sep 9, 2009 at 1:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
Oh goody! The economy sucks so let us now throw in that state employees are stealing money! Nice. Not saying that all state employees are but really why would anyone think that is a good idea since just about everyone is struggling right now? I agree with the expense report idea. Granted I don't think that most people could afford a reimbursment way of looking at it but maybe there wasn't enough documentation to be able to keep an eye on things like this? You have to assume that if you hand a large group of people a credit card and let them walk around with it that some idiot is going to treat him/herself to a few "things". Maybe that is just me being cynical.
Sep 9, 2009 at 1:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
I am surprized that the employees are not required to produce an expense report with receipts. Then regardless of what is charged to the card it is the employees responsibility to pay unless they are reimbursed as a result of the signed expense report. That provides oversight and the ability to cheat is nealry zero unless a group is in on it and then criminal charges could be filed.
Sep 9, 2009 at 12:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
stealing
Sep 9, 2009 at 12:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sadly, this just helps reinforce that Dean Howard Ross was singled out and that UW auditing practices should have been tightened a long time ago.
Sep 9, 2009 at 12:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
just some more govt waste steeling our tax $$$$
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.