News
Nebraska Auditor · State Vehicle Abuse · Taxpayer Money
A new report from the Nebraska State Auditor's Office, led by Auditor Mike Foley, reveals continued abuse of state vehicles by employees for personal trips and errands.
The audit, which examined a sample of 45 vehicles, found that 14 were used for personal purposes, including side business activities during work hours and commuting. This follows a similar report last year, indicating a lack of improvement in agency oversight.
Specific examples cited include a Department of Corrections investigator using a vehicle for side business errands and a DHHS employee commuting with a state car. The report highlights numerous unlogged personal trips, such as a 34-mile round trip to Burger King and a 63-mile round trip to a relative's home, underscoring a significant waste of taxpayer money.
State agencies are urged to take the issue more seriously and utilize GPS tracking data effectively. In response, the Director of the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services stated that misuse of state resources will not be accepted, and investigations into the reported instances are underway.
