June 23, 2010
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News: Carter Warned Repeatedly Over Inappropriate Spending
A shake up in the New Zealand ministry has former Labour government minister Chris Carter wondering what his future holds. According to recent reports, Carter was repeatedly warned by the Finance Manager inappropriate use of his ministerial credit card. Despite these warnings, Carter continued to misuse his government issued card for personal expenses. In June 2003, Dean Stratford Finance Manager in Executive Government Support sent an email to Carter with the whole credit card policy highlighting the requirement to provide documentation for each card transaction. Stratford told Carter that the Audit Office has concerns over Carter's use of his ministerial credit card. The Finance Manager continued to warn Carter about the misuse of his card throughout the years.
The Finance Manager had also previously warned Carter about taking his partner Peter Kaiser along on business trips and using his ministry credit card to pay for his travel expenses. However, Carter maintains that he has reviewed all credit card statements issued during the time he was in office and found only $251.16 that were his responsibility which included two pay per view movie rentals. There was also a health club charge in Germany and two massages for himself and his partner in Brazil. Mr. Carter's partner reimbursed $132.34 toward the massage. The two enjoyed three health club treatments as well in Cambodia which were also charged to the government card.
It appears that Carter had complete disregard for the Finance Manager and Audit Office. After numerous warnings, Carter continued to use his government ministerial credit card to pay for expensive suits, ties, shirts, flowers, spa treatments, luggage, fine dining, chauffeured limos, and even deodorant and other pharmaceuticals. Mr. Carter said he would pay back any money for personal expenses that were deemed an oversight, however, maintained that the majority of all the spending was legitimate business expenses. He also noted that the spending was signed off as okay by Ministerial Services. Carter also said that he takes responsibility for any inappropriate spending that may have occurred during a very busy ministerial office.