NEW AUDIT finds Pentagon credit cards spent over $1 Million on casinos and adult entertainment. How do those budget cuts feel now?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Thu, 07 May 2015 14:27:38 -0400

Appalling new audit results released today. Seems more than $1,000,000.00 was charged to Pentagon credit cards on casinos and adult entertainment. Budget cuts? Personnel cuts? Where's the disconnect?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 7 at 2015 2:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 07 May 2015 14:46:10 -0400

Did they pay it back?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 7 at 2015 3:18 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 07 May 2015 15:18:27 -0400

Pretty much a yawner. You'll always have the 0.5 percenter abuse something. Considering how small the number is against the volume of money flushing through the GTCC program, this looks more like a success story. Words like "appalling" tell me there's improper journalism going on in an organization with an agenda.

I'm more torqued over the disparity in discipline. We've had cases where the kid just grabbed the wrong card out of his pocket for condoms at WalMart get hammered. Then I had one Army civilian transfer to me use the card to buy Christmas gifts, new motor for his boat, and then refused to pay the bill. He got hammered less than Condom Kid.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 8 at 2015 9:08 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Fri, 08 May 2015 09:08:05 -0400

So... I think several things here.
1. The charges (assuming that they are as reported - based on life experience, I think they are) were improperly placed on GVT travel cards.

2. Given the painful briefings we (and I assume DOD civilians) get before we are issued a card, and annually thereafter, there is almost no chance that any of them can use ignorance as an excuse.

3. Unless the account holders failed to pay their bills (which they are PERSONALLY responsible for), or attempted to file for reimbursement for the expenses, there is NO CONNECTION WHATSOEVER to budget or personnel cuts, etc.

4. However, I think a fair amount of the charges were due to simple carelessness/thoughtlessness - grabbing the wrong card, not bringing your personal card with you on the trip, etc. (This explains, but does not excuse - there is a difference)

5. Things like this are exactly why the only things I ever put on my travel card are absolutely mandated items. This is generally ONLY airfare in my experience (I could rant for hours about that being mandated, but it is what it is). EVERYTHING else I put on my personal card and then request reimbursement on eligible expenses. DTS does a few "are you sures" when you tell it that you didn't select the "default" of reimburse the GTC, and you have to write a sentence or two, but it's totally worth it just to not have to deal with some auditor out to play gotcha.

6. Things like this are also why we should go back to centrally billed accounts for airfare (why is the service member having to front the money for official travel that HAS to be booked through GVT means? Does the DoD really need the "float" ?) as well as bringing back travel advances.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 10:17 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 10:17:05 -0400

[This is for GVT Travel Cards.] The thing is, they are not Pentagon credit cards. You use your personal credit history when you apply for the card. You are responsible for paying the bill. The only thing the DoD does is have visibility on the account. Now if they tried to get reimbursed through DTS through this, than yes, that is deceitful and stupid and they should be punished for it. Other than that, it is just a personal credit card and it shouldn't matter what they used it for.

Now if we are talking GPC - Government Purchase Card - then it is a completely different issue.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 22 at 2020 7:32 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 19:32:17 -0500

I’d like to see the rest of the story. Was anybody prosecuted? We’re charges mischaracterized? Too many ways this story could be bogus.

Response by Cadet A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2024 10:54 AM

Cadet A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 10:54:44 -0400

Ohh, interesting. You know, I found a review of live casinos at https://casinohex.jp/online-casinos/live/ that seems quite thorough. It discusses various platforms that offer live casino games, focusing on the quality of their live streaming, the professionalism of their dealers, and the overall immersive experience. If anyone has tried these live casinos, could you share which ones you believe stand out in terms of real-time interaction and game variety?

live

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Apr 19 at 2024 9:12 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:12:46 -0400

A Lousy Million?....Caesar's Palace Does More Than That Between 5:30 Am & Day Break.
If All They Played Black Jack With Is A Million, Makes Me Wonder "How Much Did They Steal?