As Government Worker Credit Card Abuse Runs Rampant, Senators are Asking For Money to Fund Investigation Efforts

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    An investigation by Washington’s News4 I-team has revealed a shocking series of thefts by government workers using federal credit cards for personal gas purchases. Now, the U.S. Senate is taking action, asking for funding to aid federal agents in the task of stopping the gas thefts.

    Late last Thursday, U.S. Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania spoke out, asking for millions of dollars to fund federal auditors. He also wants the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to restore funding levels to their 2013 status — before the budget cuts transpired.

    This request is in response to a rash of gas thefts that have transpired this year. In fact, the 35 cases alone have cost taxpayers a whopping $300,000, as documented by public records obtained by the I-team during their investigation.

    According to Sen. Casey, the funding is necessary for agents to successfully investigate the thefts. Although millions of dollars may seem like excessive funding to an outsider, the senator posits that the federal agent’s work will actually save more money than they cost by stopping unnecessary waste and unlawful theft.

    In 2013, the average U.S. consumer spent approximately $4.6 trillion using credit and debit cards, accounting for more than half of the $8.6 trillion made in consumer payments that year. Typically, government spending is not included or accounted for in consumer payments.

    However, the unlawful spending on gas by government officials has crossed this line, creating complications for taxpayers, the government, and the government’s image.

    “When that is abused, it undermines the whole system,” Casey said. “It gives credence to the arguments that people make about government. The worst beliefs that people have about government are fortified by that type of finding, but it was a great investigation, and we need more of that.”

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