By Justin Gray and Dorey Scheimer, Cox Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Cox Washington Bureau) -- Government agencies had to answer tough questions from lawmakers on Tuesday about abuses of government issued credit cards held by its employees.
The Cox Washington Bureau first reported on similar issues regarding the U.S. Postal Service and the Department of Transportation, but now it's clear the problem is wide spread among federal government agencies.
In prepared testimony, a top official with the Inspector General for the Environmental Protection Agency said the agency does not have effective oversight of card use because of âinattention to EPA policies by cardholders, approving officials and the purchase card team.â
Janet Kasper cites an incident where an employee spent nearly $3,000 on what was called light refreshments.
By EPA rules, that award recognition ceremony should have only included things like coffee, fruit, or cookies, but instead there was an expensive spread of chicken tenderloin and four appetizer options.
At the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, top leaders at the Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Air Force also testified about the use and regulation of government-issued credit cards in their departments.
Based on previous investigations, many of these departments are taking steps to improve management of the spending on these cards to ensure taxpayer dollars are not being wasted on frivolous spending.
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