In the private sector what would happen if you used the company’s credit card for personal items?
(Rhetorical question - depending on the amount you may just get a talking to and told to repay it back, or you could be fired and told to repay it back, but if extreme turned over to the police and get charged with embezzlement).
In the government you get promoted.
I would probably get fired ... my employer has strict accountability for every charge made on corporate cards.
I have a company AMEX card. It’s in my name. When I expense something I have to do an expense report and get reimbursed.
Occasionally I’m lax at getting it done and rock up several thousand in expenses which I have to pay out of pocket. My wife yells at me that we’re out of money and I do an expense report.
I can make personal purchases but I have to report it and remove that purchase.
We use an online system that cross checks every expense.
Cash purchases may be added. Purchases under $25 do not need a receipt. Finally there’s a rarely used mechanism for post receipts.
In other words, it’s a robust oversight system designed to keep it above board.
I probably spend $100,000 a year and have never taken a penny I’m not allowed to.
C’mon government, it’s your turn