[mattdono]

Pierre's rip-off was detected by the experimental use of data-mining techniques, which can detect telltale trends and anomalies in large databases.

Experimental? There is nothing experimental about data-mining techniques. It is frightening that our government (which is supposed to have the capability to listen to every conversation on phone, IM, email, etc.) is "experimenting" with data-mining techniques. It is even more unsettling that this SSgt. would do something like this. She is a total embarrassment of a human being and NOT what any Marine I know stands for.

[SLB]

I am certain there are some marines out there who would like to coment on the conduct of this NCO.

[Taliesan]

I don't suppose they could stoop to the old method of having the credit-card statement reviewed by superiors, who might have found this fraud by asking "uh, what's an augmentation mammoplasty?"

No, the government couldn't be expected to control fraud by actually looking at the bill. They needed DATA MINING.

[Joe Brower]

"Pierre's rip-off was detected by the experimental use of data-mining techniques"

Yes, the truth is inadvertently revealed here, in more ways than one. The government is indeed linking together consumer & private industry databases into one larger "middle tier" system, despite the supposed "de-funding" of TIA and the the like. Say one thing, do another. Gee, what a surprise.

Additionally, all that was really required to find this egregious embezzlement is to have some wet-ware READ the damn statements when they come in! It appears that "audit" isn't in these spendthrift's vocabulary.

Sure makes me want to pay my taxes... < /sarcasm>

[Fawnn]

...She is a total embarrassment of a human being and NOT what any Marine I know stands for.

"On June 17, Pierre was found guilty of stealing from the government. She received 14 months confinement, a bad-conduct discharge, a reduction in her enlisted grade (from E-6 to E-3) and a fine of $30,000, said Capt. Jeff Pool, spokesman for her employer, Marine Forces Reserve."

But, she's still a Marine, right? That reads like she wasn't "fired" from her job because of her fraud!