Wednesday, August 03, 2011
"Living high on the VA's money"
This probably qualifies as "government at work" in the sense that OUR money gets spent improperly, and the government fails to monitor it.
In this case, as in many, an external investigation is the only mechanism to bring these things to light.
Government gets the least value for our money mainly because it's not their's, and so, they don't care...
In this case, as in many, an external investigation is the only mechanism to bring these things to light.
Government gets the least value for our money mainly because it's not their's, and so, they don't care...
Renee Dudley and her associates deserve kudos for this story at PostAndCourier.com:
"Some expenses were for the legitimate benefit of the center and the veterans.
Others -- clothing and antiques at high-end King Street boutiques, pricey meals at fine restaurants, rent at her private-practice office -- were questionable. Cook even used the Good Neighbor Center's account to pay her personal federal withholding tax.
For more than 15 years, Cook had managed the 32-bed Spruill Avenue shelter where homeless veterans sought help finding work, obtaining permanent housing and overcoming alcohol and drug addiction.
Officials at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the primary source of the grant money that bankrolled Cook's lifestyle, did nothing to stop her spending. VA officials conducted annual inspections at the nonprofit shelter, but rarely reported more than minor health or safety violations.
VA inspectors' financial reviews were perfunctory and relied on Cook's documentation."
