Shameless misuse of tax dollars by politicians is something that just doesn’t surprise we cynics here at the Oink Report any more.  From earmarks for relatives to getting public buildings named after themselves, there seems to be no limit to political arrogance.

But sometimes politicians find a way to surprise even cynics like us.  The strange tale of a local politician who used tax dollars to wine and dine auditors who were investigating the misuse of tax dollars by that very politician is an example of one of those times.

Matt Chittum was covering the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority in August when he filed a FOIA request for the expense reports of Ellis Henry, the agency’s recently departed director.

Henry came to Roanoke in May 2006 to head the agency and was not long on the job when a citizen made a FOIA request to view information regarding contracts between the authority and The Issues Management Group.

A month later, Henry presented the authority board with a 400-page report raising questions about 11 IMG contracts valued at more than $1 million. The report was forwarded to HUD, an audit ensued and eventually the authority agreed to repay HUD $1.3 million that was misspent due to conflicts of interest and improper bidding of public contracts.

Ironically, one of Henry’s questionable expenses later uncovered by Chittum was the purchase of drinks during a dinner at the Metro with HUD officials who were conducting the audit.

Ironic indeed, and it illustrates one of the often-hidden costs of the earmarking process.  In order for federal officials to be sure that the earmarks are being spent on what they were intended for federal auditors must routinely investigate allegations of misuse.  Those investigations cost Americans millions on top of the money they already spent on the earmarks in the first place.

Which is why it would be better for such projects to be paid for locally.  It would mean more accountability and thus less chance for fraud.