August 30, 2010
-
News: Commissioner May Be Off The Hook
As one after the other public official is struck down because of his or her illegal and inappropriate credit card spending against government cards, one public official has been found innocent of any wrongdoing. A Norfolk, Virginia Commissioner of the Revenue was given a clean bill of health as far as her use of the city's credit card is considered. Sharon McDonald's use of the city's credit card to pay expenses for several trips to the state capital to lobby had been in question. However, a recent audit concluded that she was within the usage guidelines and did not violate any law or commit any wrongdoing. The report came as a great relief to McDonald.
Despite the fact that McDonald was within the law, auditor John Sanderlin said that she did not properly follow all the city's rules regarding her credit card use. Additionally, Sanderlin recommend that the city take the necessary steps to review its credit card rules and make at least a half dozen changes to close any gaps before reinstating McDonald's card privileges. McDonald had submitted a written response to the audit earlier this week that stated her has implemented new procedures in her office to ensure that all future recordkeeping would be "above reproach."
Even though Sanderlin did not make any recommendations to the City Council as to whether or not any future action was deemed necessary for McDonald's apparent attempt to find loopholes in the City's guidelines to allegedly misuse the city's credit card. Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot was disappointed with the lack of recommendations and will be following the council's response to the audit. One of the items in question on the card statements was a $450 tip after a two month visit to the state capital, Richmond. Burfoot has publicly stated that he believes this shows "poor judgment" on the part of McDonald. Meanwhile, McDonald has yet to reply to the Vice Mayor's comments.