State Audit Uncovers DOT Purchasing Irregularities

Raleigh, N.C. — An audit has uncovered irregularities within the state Department of Transportation, resulting in overpayment for office supplies.

The state Auditor's Office said it learned that the DOT's Materials and Test Unit violated purchasing policies by purchasing office supplies from a vendor not listed on the state term contract for office supplies by misclassifying data processing equipment as office supplies.

Officials identified 595 purchases from the vendor, totaling more than $175,000 between April 1, 2003, and Aug. 15, 2006, of which $93,483 originated from the Materials and Test Unit.

The audit also states DOT officials paid more for office supplies than what would have been paid to vendors under the terms of the contract. In a random sampling of items, auditors found the state was charged $3,680 more than if the office supplies were purchased from term contract vendors.

The Materials and Test supervisor told auditors that he did business with the vendor because its ordering process was easy and expedient. He also admitted knowing the vendor's president, treasurer and two other employees.

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the purpose of state contract vendor is to get the lowest prices possible. if you are going around this policy, you are spending more tax dollars for the same stuff. this is disrespect to the taxpayers in this state to look to spend more money. someone should be held accountable that signed off on this.

pack-man
August 29, 2007 12:51 p.m.

Every political appointee (those who are in exempt positions) at DOT should be terminated.

HadEnough
August 29, 2007 12:41 p.m.

RealAmerican: Yeah he admited to knowing them but that still doesn't mean he got paid by them. And if it had been the proper Vendor it still would have been 595 purchases. And I wasn't refering to you about not having read the article. And to USN vet: If that's where you work then are you talking about yourself as well? Are you one of those eating a lot, talking a lot, and walking up and down the halls a lot? So then NO all state employees aren't stupid and lazy. I come to work, I do my job, I ask the Agents if they need any help when their assistant is out, I watch the reception desk when someone is out because no one else is willing... and I'm a state employee. I may not be proud that I work for DOT but I don't deserve to lose my job because the people around me aren't doing theirs.

hmm_83
August 29, 2007 12:10 p.m.

Rellibell...Good point. Nothing in the article says the employee got paid. Perhaps I should think before I speak, wow, come to think of it I did! You should read the article again. It was not just one purchase, IT WAS 595 PURSHASES FROM THE VENDOR, totalling more than $175,000. Of Which $93,483 originated from the materials and test unit. Also, the employee admitted knowing the vendor's President, Treasurer and two other employees.