Australiant Gov. Ink Cartridge Scandal Grows …..

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Australiant Goverment  Ink cartridge scandal grows with four departments linked to ink-for-gift claims

STAFF in at least four State Government departments have been sanctioned over the deeping ”Cartridgegate” scandal.Inquiries by The Advertiser have revealed that details of the conduct of at least two staff have been forwarded to SA Police in a controversy that has grown to implicate bureaucrats in the transport and education departments.

It is alleged $430,000 in taxpayer funds were used to buy printer cartridges in return for gifts.Concern over printer cartridge purchases were exposed by a parliamentary committee last month when it was found the Aboriginal affairs division of the Department of Premier and Cabinet had spent $80,000 on cartridges with a company that offered vouchers and electronic goods as rewards.

That sparked audits of all government departments to determine the scale of the alleged rort. SA Health this week confirmed three employees had been suspended over $161,781 in suspect cartridge purchases.
It can also be revealed:

PURCHASES of up to $100,000 occurred in two divisions of the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure and have been referred to the Crown Solicitor’s Office.

INQUIRIES in the Department of Education and Children’s Services have uncovered $90,000 in suspect purchases. One matter has been referred to SA Police and another remains under investigation. Both staff have taken leave while the inquiry continues.

LARGE school purchases are being audited to identify potential "irregularities".
COMPANIES involved in the SA audit include those implicated by a Victorian Ombudsman’s report that found public money was wasted on cartridges at inflated prices in exchange for iPhones, MP3 players, LCD television and thousands of dollars in gift vouchers.Opposition finance spokesman Rob Lucas said the current audit was only focusing on those known companies.A thorough investigation with appropriate powers led by the Auditor-General or similar body must be launched, he said.

The State Government has declined to reveal the full scale of concerns over the cartridge purchases and directed inquiries to individual departments.A spokesman for Attorney-General John Rau, who has responsibility for the Government Investigations Unit, said it was not appropriate to comment in detail while the inquiry was under way.

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October 20, 2011 at 9:01 AM