The GSA chief resigns due to excessive spending… or stupidity

Washington Post 04/02/12 Lisa Rein and Joe Davidson

“GSA chief resigns amid reports of excessive spending”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gsa-chief-resigns-amid-reports-of-excessive-spending/2012/04/02/gIQABLNNrS_story.html?tid=pm_pop

The chief of the General Services Administration resigned, two of her top deputies were fired and four managers were placed on leave Monday amid reports of lavish spending at a conference off the Las Vegas Strip that featured a clown, a mind reader and a $31,208 reception.

Administrator Martha N. Johnson, in her resignation letter, acknowledged a “significant misstep” at the agency that manages real estate for the federal government. “Taxpayer dollars were squandered,” she wrote. At the start of her tenure in February 2010 she called ethics “a big issue for me.”

Organizers spent $835,000 on the event, which was attended by 300 employees. The expenses included $147,000 in airfare and lodging at the hotel for six planning trips by a team of organizers. Among the other expenses were $3,200 for a mind reader; $6,300 on commemorative coin set displayed in velvet boxes and $75,000 on a training exercise to build a bicycle.

Among the “excessive, wasteful and in some cases impermissable” spending the inspector general documented: $5,600 for three semi-private catered in-room parties and $44 per person daily breakfasts; $75,000 for a “team-building” exercise — the goal was to build a bicycle; $146,000 on catered food and drinks; and $6,325 on commemorative coins in velvet boxes to reward all participants for their work on stimulus projects. The $31,208 “networking” reception featured a $19-per-person artisanal cheese display and $7,000 of sushi. At the conference’s closing-night dinner, employees received “yearbooks” with their pictures, at a cost of $8,130.

Common Sense Review

The General Service Administration resigned due to excessive spending at a training conference in Las Vegas… What the problem?!?!? This administration has shown that “money is no object” when it comes to entertainment and govt events.

What kind of training or who in their right mind thought the govt would approve $3,200 for a mind reader and what Is the purpose to purchase a $6,300 on a commemorative coin set with display…. I don’t think they should be fired for excessive spending but should be fired for stupidity…

Who was the genius that thought “Sure these are justifiable work related expenses”….