Questionable

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 10, 2008

A recent story about the Department of Veterans Affairs suggests the department may need to root out a few bad apples in its work force.

The Associated Press reported that VA employees used their government-issued credit cards to purchase items at pricey retail establishments and pay for stays at casinos and resorts.

They swiped the cards at The Sharper Image and Franklin Covey, a retailer of high-dollar leather totes and planners marketed toward corporate executives. Employees based at VA headquarters used their credit cards at least six times at Vegas casino hotels, racking up charges totaling $26,198.

They also charged bills to their credit cards from lodging establishments in Las Vegas, San Diego, Orlando, Fla., and on the riverfront in Little Rock, Ark. The questionable expenditures totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Doesn't necessarily sound like the employees who made those purchases were looking for the best value for taxpayers' dollars, does it?

That's not to suggest every VA staff member is abusing the cards.

In fact, there's actually a fair amount of good news in the story in that the AP uncovered few obvious signs of dubious spending.

All in all, it would appear VA employees are using the cards responsibly.

The story, based on a list of 3.1 million credit card purchases obtained by the AP through Freedom of Information requests, showed that hundreds of transactions occurred at stores providing prosethetics, orthopedics and other medical supplies. The story said about 14,000 employees used the cards in 2007 for expenditures totaling $2.6 billion.

But here's hoping the VA thoroughly examines charges such as those at The Sharper Image and Franklin Covey.

According to the AP, government reports from 2004 said those companies would "more likely be selling unauthorized or personal use items" to federal employees based on the type of products they offer.

VA spokesman Matt Smith acknowledged that department employees had bought items from The Sharper Image and other high-end stores. But he said the purchases involved items such as air purifiers, humidifiers and clocks for veterans with vision problems.

Smith also defended the expenditures at the casino hotels, saying the VA was building a new medical center in Las Vegas and that the city was home to a growing number of veterans. He said the VA wasn't alone in scheduling conferences in Las Vegas "due to the ease of participant travel, the capacity of the facilities and the overall cost associated with hosting a conference."

Smith said the VA was reviewing the purchases and expenditures as part of its routine oversight of employee spending.

That's good. Again, we hope the review is exhaustive.

Perhaps the charges all were legitimate.

However, common sense would suggest that when government-issued credit cards are handed out to 14,000 people, there's some potential for abuse.Sen. Pat Roberts, 109 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; phone (202) 224-4774. Local office: 444 S.E. Quincy, Topeka, 66603; phone 295-2745. Web site: www.roberts.senate.gov/.

Sen. Sam Brownback, 303 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; phone (202) 224-6521. Local office: 612 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, 66603; phone 233-2503. Web site: www.brownback.senate.gov/.