Newswire:

Waste, Fraud And Abuse At America’s Attic

Two weeks ago we told you about the Veterans’ Affairs Agency blowing their money on casinos and stuff from Sharper Image. [Mic Check]

Last week brought tales of the U.S. postmaster charging the government for his eHarmony on-line dating service, the State Department officials charging hundreds of dollars-worth of lingerie to Uncle Sam and the Justice Department shelling out $11,000 for coffee and snacks at the Ritz Carlton. [USA Today]

This week brings us the story of waste, fraud, and abuse at the Smithsonian. [AP]

Meet Pilar O’Leary. The 39-year-old was the director of Smithsonian Latino Center. She also liked to charge her champagne tastes to our taxpayer tab.

According to the Smithsonian, Ms. O’Leary recently resigned after they discovered she billed the museum for “extravagant” and “lavish travel expenses.” She was also fond of high-end spa treatments, fancy hotels and lots and lots of limo rides. All on her government expense account.

Our favorite expense: She charged the Smithsonian for a limo to drive her across the National Mall from one museum to another.

She refused to book “regular” hotels that offered special government rates when she traveled and instead insisted on staying at either the Ritz Carleton or the Four Seasons.

In another example, she charged the government $335 for services at a spa called “Rikrak” during a business trip to LA.

O’Leary was forced to reimburse the Smithsonian more than two grand for a trip she took to Spain. According to the Smithsonian, “O’Leary also returned hotel reimbursements for a trip to Miami and for charges that covered the cost of moving outdoor furniture to her home.”

And we wondered why Fonzi’s jacket was looking so … dusty lately.

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