Utah’s spousal San Diego freebies

A July 20 audit of the Utah Local Governments Trust by Utah’s state auditor tells the tale. Trustees, who oversee an insurance co-op for municipalities and other government entities, have been running amok with public money, from Park City to San Diego.

“During a board retreat in Park City, $1,664 was spent for 14 board members, trust employees, and spouses (6 spouses) to have dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steak House (a high-end steakhouse).” auditors found. “During a board meeting Christmas event, $2,118 was spent for 9 room nights for board members at the Grand America Hotel; $1,274 for 23 meals for board members, employees, and spouses (11 spouse meals); and an additional $145 for parking.”

More free spending was uncovered in sunny San Diego. “During a conference in San Diego attended by board members, $1,339 was spent for board members, trust employees, and spouses (6 spouse meals) to have dinner at Donovan’s (another high-end steakhouse).” In addition, “During the same San Diego conference, $318.11 was spent for board members, trust employees, and spouses (6 spouse meals) for lunch.”

The entertainment didn’t stop there. “During a conference in San Diego attended by board members, $382 was spent on tickets to a professional baseball game, and $300 was spent on concessions at the game. During the same San Diego conference, $1,072 (in addition to the other amounts noted in this finding) was spent on food and entertainment for 6 board member spouses.”