On the same day the Washington Post reports the passing of a $790 billion spending package that includes about $50 billion for so-called infrastructure, it also reports on a Department of Transportation audit of spending on roads:
ran up millions of dollars in inappropriate charges at the expense of
taxpayers, including bills for parties, luxury car leases and hefty
paychecks for executives, according to auditors.
Among the "unallowable expenses" singled out:
$301,667 to lease 45 automobiles,
including Mercedes, BMW and other luxury brands.
$247,685 for dinners, tickets to sporting events, theme-holiday parties.
$60,000 paid to a consultant with only a verbal agreement.
$35,352 charged by two firms for "image-enhancing items such as golf shirts."
The Transportation Department audit, which took four years, examined
bills from a sampling of 41 design and engineering firms picked from
3,580 firms that had active contracts with state departments of
transportation. Auditors looked at data from 2003 because it was the
most current year available when the review began.
