The government employees are responsible for paying the charges, so this is less of a story than is implied. It still shouldn't be happening with a government charge card, but my outrage is being saved for more serious problems, like the IRS employees who can't be bothered to pay their taxes.

I'm actually surprised its so low. $1 million is nothing to the gov't.

0ne then of one percent = .001

100 / .001 = 100,000

1,050,000 * 100,000 = 105,000,000

105 billion in charges on credit cards.

Are they charging jets and tanks on the cards? Cause if not what the fuck are they buying?

I'm gonna have to go with MarkD on this one:

The official added the cardholders paid their own bills and then submitted government-related expenses to the department for reimbursement. One official speculated to Politico the individuals may have used their government -- instead of their personal -- cards to hide the illicit activities from their spouses.

Until the IG's office goes back and matches up such charges to a reimbursement, there's really nothing to see here.

It would be interesting to see samples of these cards. If there is no distinguishing these cards from regular cards given to private individuals, then there isn't even the appearance of impropriety.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that one can not by visual inspection tell the difference.

One official speculated to Politico the individuals may have used their government -- instead of their personal -- cards to hide the illicit activities from their spouses.

So, it's okay if your employer finds out that you've been doing hookers and blow on "business" trips?

I honestly don't care what my employees are doing in their off-hours on business trips...

I honestly don't care what my employees are doing in their off-hours on business trips... ~ Posted by: Leo at May 8, 2015 8:41 AM

But which one gets that promotion to Finance Director with access to confidential information - the one hiding business trip hooker binges from his wife or the one conducting actual business on business trips (i.e., the one that is less vulnerable to blackmail and corporate espionage)?

Keeping in mind this is the Defense Department and hiding hooker and coke binges from one's spouse leaves one vulnerable to blackmail from entities far more dangerous than a competing company.

As a Federal Employee I can tell you this is illegal and abuse of the card. You are only allowed to put legitimate government charges on the card whether you pay for them or are reimbursed. If these cards are like my travel card they have GSA Fed emblazoned on the top. Yes you can tell it is a government credit card. These people should be fired. You are NOT allowed to do this.

Sometimes employees get an allowance they're supposed to spend on food and metro tickets and what not.

I suppose someone might spend it on hookers instead.

My husband saves his whenever he gets one and eats super cheap and then puts the rest into savings. (That, or he's getting a really, really cheap hooker!)

They just give you a lump sum and you do as you will.

How do they find the hookers? This activity is not legal - much to my chagrin.

Finding the hookers: I can assure you that in Vegas, it is no problem. Hotel coincierges will usually know, or you can find girls (either hookers or madams) hanging out at the bar. You can also pick up flyers and free papers on the street, or there are Web sites (easily found via your favorite search engine), or pretty much any taxi driver in the city can tell you. Yes, prostitution is officially illegal in Vegas, but they concentrate enforcement efforts on streetwalkers. "Incall", they pretty much look the other way, as long as it's done discreetly.

It's a great time to be in government. Don't the rest of us just look like chumps?

Have you no connections Dave B? Such things are not that hard to find.

Government employees misappropriating funds?!?!?!

SHOCKING!!!!

I think I just lost my last shred of faith in humanity.

*sniff*