GSA scandal widens; dozens of conferences now under investigation
- Post 01 August 2012
- By Copy Editor
(Jim McElhatton | The Washington Times) -- The embattled General Services Administration is facing investigations into as many as 77 conferences and awards ceremonies over the years as new details emerged Wednesday about a lavish one-day gathering in Crystal City costing more than a quarter million dollars for hundreds of employees, including a top agency deputy hailed just months ago as a taxpayer hero.
At a congressional hearing into the latest scandal, Rep. John Mica, Florida Republican and chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said both the GSA's Office of Inspector General and the House committee are investigating a host of potentially wasteful conferences at the agency, which handles federal contracting and oversees the government's vast real estate holdings.
The first serious signs of trouble in the agency came to light earlier this year when the GSA became embroiled in a controversy over a more than $800,000 Las Vegas conference featuring clowns, a mind reader and a red carpet party. ...continues...
"Question all which is 'taught,' dig deeper, think clearly, respond profusely. Conformity is the antithesis of free thought and self-determination." -- Standard Pearls