DoD cracking down on using Government Credit Cards for Strip Clubs

Misfit

Misfit

Lawful neutral
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/01/politics/military-credit-cards-strip-clubs-casinos/index.html


Washington (CNN) — A year after finding that military personnel were using government credit cards at places such as Larry Flynt's Hustler Club, the Pentagon's inspector general said this week that safeguards still haven't been put in place to protect taxpayer dollars from being used for unauthorized expenses.

The IG office found last year that from July 2013 to June 2014, Pentagon personnel spent an unauthorized $952,258 at casinos. They dropped another $96,576 at places like Sapphire Gentleman's Club, which advertises itself as the world's largest strip club, "featuring 70,000 square feet of topless entertainment."

Another petty officer 1st class in the Navy spent $1,116 during 17 days of work travel at places like Red Parrot Gentlemen's Club and Dreams Cabaret. His allotted budget for meals and incidentals on that trip was $151.50.
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Clem72

Clem72

Well-Known Member
Just a casual observation here, but just about every conference held in Los Vegas (of which many are targeted to the military) take place in a casino convention center. And everyone travelling to these locations will be staying in casinos and likely using the ATMs at those casinos.

Now I believe ATM advances are even more discouraged now than they were when I was still travelling for the government, but I also know a good deal of people who fly into Tucson have received a sternly worded e-mail after using the ATM at the strip mall near the end of the road that the airport is on (the closest ATM to the airport that is not in the airport). Turns out it is owned by the gentleman's club behind the strip mall and guess which category the charge shows up as?
 
PeoplesElbow

PeoplesElbow

Well-Known Member
Every time I read an article like this they fail to mention that the person gets an allotted amount per day no matter where it is spent. Just because a government card was used there does not mean it was free, that comes from their per diem and they have to pay the card balance.

The first gas station outside of China Lake NAS was classified as a liquor store and wouldn't let me use the card there to even pay at the pump. I called the card company and told them and that was their reply, "that isn't a gas station it is a liquor store".

I would also like to point out that most of their per diem goes straight to the card company and when they over pay them it takes forever to get that money back from the credit card company. Additionally they send me my bill before I even make it home and bitch at me for not paying it before I even return from travel.
 
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Chris0nllyn

Chris0nllyn

Well-Known Member
PeoplesElbow said:
Every time I read an article like this they fail to mention that the person gets an allotted amount per day no matter where it is spent. Just because a government card was used there does not mean it was free, that comes from their per diem and they have to pay the card balance.
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The last sentence in the quote in the OP talks about the per diem.
 
b23hqb

b23hqb

Well-Known Member
PREMO Member
Grumpy said:
Seems to me someone is confused with that statement...17 days of MI&E and its only $151, $8.91 a day???
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Could be. Per Diem is generally a lot more than that, unless the PO1 was billeted on a base with suitable accommodations. If that is the case, then it is probable that suitable messing was available at the galley, and the 8.91 may be the appropriate comrat rate? I've been out of the loop for 15 years now, but that 17 days sure sounds like a reservist doing a 17 day AT at their gaining command, possibly.

Just sayin'.......
 
Gilligan

Gilligan

#*! boat!
PREMO Member
PeoplesElbow said:
Every time I read an article like this they fail to mention that the person gets an allotted amount per day no matter where it is spent. Just because a government card was used there does not mean it was free, that comes from their per diem and they have to pay the card balance.

The first gas station outside of China Lake NAS was classified as a liquor store and wouldn't let me use the card there to even pay at the pump. I called the card company and told them and that was their reply, "that isn't a gas station it is a liquor store".

I would also like to point out that most of their per diem goes straight to the card company and when they over pay them it takes forever to get that money back from the credit card company. Additionally they send me my bill before I even make it home and bitch at me for not paying it before I even return from travel.
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I have friends that are DoD engineers and I see their pain when we're together on site. I know a couple senior folks that refuse to travel any more. So glad I'm on the "outside".
 
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