During a recent audit by the Defense Departments inspector general, it has been found out that the naval academy wasted $3.5 million on a contract for a short film and six commercials. In addition to this, they also wrongly accepted $184,000 in gifts and $343,208 in corporate sponsorship funds. The academy spent $214,000 in 2006 to create two commercials and a short film for their visitor center.
These commercials were made for the same purpose as the ones found in the audit that cost much more. The audit report described the $3.5 million expenditure as "careless and extravagant". The audit also found that the academy may have violated the anti-deficiency act by using money from outside sources. This means that they were spending more money than their budget allowed them to use.
In addition to all of the findings, the audit also found that the naval academy spent $189,265 on activities that didn't benefit the students. This money was spent on catered tailgating at football games, support for a superintendent's dinner, holiday parties, and golf outings for academy employees.
In a department of the government that is supposed to be disciplined, i cannot believe that they are spending in excess to make commercials. I would think that the navy would have great internal controls, so something like this wouldn't happen. If money can be accepted and spent that goes against regulation in the navy, then it could happen anywhere and that is a scary thought for our future. Also, if we have to watch agencies that are supposed to protect our country then our country may be in a lot of trouble in the near future. I hope that the naval academy better their internal controls so something like this doesn't happen again.
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