The Department of Energy Office of Inspector General released a report citing extravagant spending by the department over the course of 16 months. An investigation of 300 Department of Energy conferences held from April 2013 to September 2014 turned up many social events that should not have taken place. According to the report, these events included “casino night, Super Bowl party, golf tournament, banquet on a dinner cruise boat, dinner at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and a tour and dinner at an aquarium.” The total cost for these conferences was more than $21 million.

The current documentation for social events states that “participation in any associated social events should be limited and restrained to the greatest degree practicable to avoid the appearance of impropriety.” Another problem the report noted was that the department wasted money by renting meeting spaces when federal facilities could have been used.

Read more at The Washington Times