As though the Internal Revenue Service wasn't already apologizing enough after the recent scandal involving reported abuses of power as regards inspection of conservative groups, now the agency that is supposed to be known for sticking to the bottom line is groveling to the American public once more ... This time, for apparently having spent way to much money (our tax dollars at work, remember) on such lavish expenditures as a spoof of Star Trek for training videos made in 2010.
How much of our money was spent on these training videos, you ask?
As relayed by Reuters on Thursday, June 6, the unfortunately named IRS Commissioner of Small Business and Self-Employment, Faris Fink, said that more than $50,000 was spent on some of the training videos that were used during a 2010 California conference.
The videos were "well-intentioned" but "in hindsight, inappropriate," Fink told lawmakers, adding that he was embarrassed and apologizes for such videos as those in which he himself played the Star Trek character of "Spock" during a film sketch.
"I regret the fact that they were made," Fink said.
A Treasury watchdog report released information about the IRS on Tuesday, June 4 that revealed more than $4 million was spent on the Anaheim, California conference in question, with such other gratuitous expenses as luxury hotel rooms put on the bill, along with a motivational speaker who uses painting to educate others on the topic of leadership. The speaker cost more than $15,000.
Adding insult to injury is the fact that much of the money for this extravagant IRS conference was originally intended for the hiring of enforcement officers for the agency. It was apparently instead used on parody training videos and painters who talk about leadership skills.
"[A]t best maliciously self-indulgent" was how Chairman of the House Oversight Committee Darrell Issa referred to the conference at this Thursday's hearing. Issa, a Republican representative, also referred to the excessive spending as "grossly mismanaging taxpayer money," according to Reuters.
The top Democrat on the committee, Elijah Cummings, claimed he stayed up until three in the morning watching the Star Trek parody training video, but still could not "see the redeeming value" of it at all.
How do you feel about the IRS using your money to make silly videos and to enjoy themselves in lavish hotel rooms during California conferences? Sound off in the comments below!
Like what you're reading? Follow @profklickberg.
