"Harry Hope" <rivrvu@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:5hod61d8g4kajrqjpob7ch2g9gnfb0ks17@4ax.com...

From CNN, 4/20/05:
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/19/tsa.waste/index.html

Waste, possible fraud reported at TSA

From Jeanne Meserve
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) --

A Transportation Security Administration official spent $500,000 on
art, silk plants and other decorations for a new operations center and
then went to work for the vendor after leaving the agency, according
to a report from the Department of Homeland Security's inspector
general.

The report found that self-imposed deadline pressures, combined with
"inappropriate decision-making by individuals who operated with
unchecked autonomy" led to waste and abuse in the construction
process.

The operations center, located just outside Washington, has a
4,200-foot fitness center with a towel laundry service for 79 federal
employees.

It also has seven kitchens equipped with refrigerators, microwave
ovens, ice makers and dishwashers.

The report said that the center's offices and work stations were
larger than federal standards allow and that most had cable
television.

The inspector general found that the project manager and other TSA
employees routinely violated agency policies to buy furniture, leather
briefcases, coffee pots and other items.

They concealed purchases of more than $2,500, including one for
$47,449, by splitting them into several credit card transactions, the
report said.

The report said that higher-ups at the TSA "quashed" efforts by
procurement managers to exercise control.

A project oversight board eventually was formed, but it "did not
provide control and oversight to ensure adherence to applicable
procurement regulations and policy," the report said.

TSA spokesman Mark Hatfield said an internal audit uncovered the
"waste and procurement shortcomings, and even potential fraud," and
officials asked the inspector general to investigate.

Hatfield said the $500,000 purchase of decorations has been referred
to the U.S. Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution.

The report didn't identify the former official allegedly involved.

Hatfield said that even though the project was done under "aggressive
deadlines," there was "no justification for intentional fraud."

He said procurement controls, which were fledgling or nonexistent at
the time, are now in place to "ensure the most efficient use of
taxpayer dollars and the most competitive procurement practices in the
federal government."

__________________________________________________________

More taxpayer money pissed down the sewer.

Harry

Damn, I must have missed the reference to Welfare for unwed mothers in
this article.........