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re: LDWF Audit and Misappropriations Article
Posted on 9/22/16 at 1:21 pm to PT24-7
Posted on 9/22/16 at 1:21 pm to PT24-7
In this case it was BP's money, given to make them look like they gave a shite, for a specific (yet broad) purpose. It's not like we could have just plugged that money into the state budget.
1
Posted on 9/22/16 at 2:01 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
quote:
In this case it was BP's money, given to make them look like they gave a shite, for a specific (yet broad) purpose. It's not like we could have just plugged that money into the state budget.
While technically correct, that money is deducted from the total settlement amount, so it could have been used on other, actually beneficial uses. There may even be something that could be paid for with that money that will end up getting paid for out of the general budget out of necessity. Sure, they couldn't have taken that money and given it straight to LSU, but it's definitely part of a larger overall budget picture, so waste is waste.
Posted on 9/22/16 at 2:09 pm to TheGreat318
quote:
But again, I'm not sure there is anything that can come from this besides bad publicity. This wasn't taxpayer money.
Pretty sure spending someone else's money on personal items without their consent is considered stealing.
If someone doesn't go to jail, every license holder in the state should drive down to Quail drive and take a shite on their doormat.
This post was edited on 9/22/16 at 2:10 pm
Posted on 9/22/16 at 2:12 pm to Barf
Another article
Miami Herald? lol
Miami Herald? lol
quote:
Here are some preliminary findings from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's office, which raises questions about spending in the state's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries from 2010 through 2015. A draft of the audit report was obtained by The Associated Press and hasn't been released publicly yet.
—Less than half the 2,376 fish samples expected to be tested in a seafood safety program financed by BP were collected. A biologist wasn't always present for the sampling, auditors say, and the sampling operation was overseen by an employee who "did not have supervisory or biology education or experience." Unnecessary boats, fishing equipment, cameras and computers were bought with the money, according to the draft report, which says the fish testing team spent $3 million on testing of 1,091 samples that couldn't determine fish safety, the equivalent of $2,796 spent per tested fish.
—Federal grant funds were spent to buy a $220,000 used boat, motors and a trailer "that appeared to have little or no benefit to the agency," has been used twice since 2012 and have cost nearly $38,000 to maintain and repair, according to the auditors.
—Auditors questioned another $764,000 in clothing and uniform purchases, sponsorship spending and contracts, saying some of the spending wasn't properly documented to prove it was needed for state business or a public purpose.
—Nearly $134,000 was paid, for example, to a university for the design and upkeep of a website that benefited two private entities that host annual fishing rodeos. The department "did not provide justification that these expenditures created a public benefit proportionate to its cost and may have violated the Louisiana Constitution, which prohibits the donation of public funds," the draft audit says.
—A used plane was bought with $1.8 million in federal grant money, but the department didn't follow the state's inspection requirements. Damage to the plane that were found after the purchase, the draft audit says, could cost the state up to $581,000 in repairs.
This post was edited on 9/22/16 at 2:20 pm
Posted on 9/22/16 at 2:33 pm to Jester
quote:
While technically correct, that money is deducted from the total settlement amount, so it could have been used on other, actually beneficial uses. There may even be something that could be paid for with that money that will end up getting paid for out of the general budget out of necessity. Sure, they couldn't have taken that money and given it straight to LSU, but it's definitely part of a larger overall budget picture, so waste is waste.
I agree that waste is waste, and these people should be help accountable, but LDWF is funded almost entirely by statutory dedications. The money in question on the other hand was part of a contract with BP to provide samples, and it just never got done correctly. BP got to decide what it was for and how much.
In hindsight could that money have gone towards something better than ipads and fishing gear? Obviously. The biggest thing is we weren't given a choice though. The fact that it's being deducted from the total settlement is a raw deal for LA, but that would be true whether is was misspent or not. It would be kinda like FEMA coming in and telling a flood victim here's five grand, it must be spent on termite prevention measures, oh by the way we're deducting it from your total relief check.
Posted on 9/22/16 at 2:55 pm to Barf
quote:
Pretty sure spending someone else's money on personal items without their consent is considered stealing.
The moment it left BP's account, it was no longer their money.
quote:
If someone doesn't go to jail, every license holder in the state should drive down to Quail drive and take a shite on their doormat.
A crime has not been committed. People on Quail drive may go to jail, but it won't be for this.
eta: Back to my original point, BP gave this to the wrong body of government if seafood safety was the intended purpose. If a multi-billionaire gave me a few million to conduct food safety inspections, I'd be happy to take it off their hands and watch as the appropriate folks (FDA and NOAA) did their work.
This post was edited on 9/22/16 at 3:03 pm
Posted on 9/22/16 at 3:04 pm to TheGreat318
quote:
The moment it left BP's account, it was no longer their money.
Wait. What? They gave the money to WLF to fund research, not buy a bunch of cameras and yeti coolers.
quote:
A crime has not been committed.
Are you a state employee or something?
Posted on 9/22/16 at 3:34 pm to Barf
quote:
Wait. What? They gave the money to WLF to fund research, not buy a bunch of cameras and yeti coolers.
And they gave it to the wrong people to accomplish such research. If BP chooses to go after them on this, then good on them. The product of the research wasn't for BP's benefit. Wouldn't call this gesture "hush money"...but it certainly was "pipe down" money. If BP wanted to actually learn more about food safety, then they could have given the money to an agency that actually does food safety.
Could the money have been spent by WLF on something better or something that didn't walk off the job? Sure. Is this another example of an embattled Department's dysfunction? Absolutely. But to think that BP gave WLF this money to perform a service for BP would be a mistake.
Posted on 9/22/16 at 3:42 pm to TheGreat318
I'm confused.
Are you suggesting that department employees did not use the funding to purchase personal items?
Are you suggesting that department employees did not use the funding to purchase personal items?
Posted on 9/22/16 at 3:59 pm to Barf
I don't know. I would certainly guess that if you gave an agency money to conduct research on fish, that buying fishing gear and ice chests would be a step in the right direction. You could probably make a case for cameras as well to document what was caught. Also fair to think that while the equipment was purchased to accomplish (or pretend to accomplish) such research by WLF at the time, some of it now may very well be for their "personal use", and if so inappropriately. That said, this is all per a draft audit. It very well may be spot on, but I doubt Pupera's office was in Venice looking in sheds for fishing gear. My point is an investigation by the State auditor into purchases made with non-taxpayer money DID cost the taxpayers money. In the likely event this equipment was partially or even completely squandered during or after this "research", its between WLF and BP. Using state resources like the auditor to adjudicate it is also a misapplication of state resources.
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