clipped from: www.congress.org   

The Government Accountability Office recently released a report entitled "Government Purchase Cards: Actions Needed to Strengthen Internal Controls to Reduce Fraudulent, Improper, and Abusive Purchases". The report for the 2006 fiscal year detailed certain improper charges that were put on government credit cards. According to the report, the purchase card program has had success in increasing purchase efficiency. However, the report also notes that "...if not properly managed and controlled, use of the purchase cards results in fraud, waste, and abuse."


  • the U.S. Forest Service--$642,000 worth of fraudulent use of convenience checks paid to cardholder's live-in boyfriend

  • National Science Foundation--$1,800 worth of fraudulent purchases from a nail salon

  • USPS--$13,500 for dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

  • Department of Defense--$77,000 in high-end clothing stores