WASHINGTON, D.C.
The inspector general for the scandal-plagued General Services Administration has launched an investigation into a $270,000 awards ceremony held in suburban Washington—the latest expensive function to earn lawmakers ire.
According to Fox News, the GSA apparently spent thousands of dollars on hors d'oeuvres, goodie-bag items and travel costs for the one-day ceremony in November 2010—it was unclear from the report whether the agency violated federal spending rules. The ceremony was held shortly after the GSA’s infamous Las Vegas conference that led to a shakeup at the agency.
In a July 19 press conference on the probe, House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Fla., said the discovery "makes everyone's blood boil. The committee is appalled."
A violinist, guitarist, and numerous novelty items for guests were among the reported excesses at the awards ceremony.The event also featured a "drum band exercise,” for which the agency spent nearly $21,000 on 4,000 drumsticks for attendees. Separately, the agency spent more than $28,000 on "time temperature picture frames," according to a letter obtained by Fox News. For the full story, click here.
