The Justice Department Is No Cheap Date

In a report released Friday by the inspector general's office-an office that includes duties which are carried out through a nationwide network of audits, investigations, inspections and other mission-related functions performed by OIG components-claims the United States Justice Department has spent more than $7 million in taxpayer money on food items like meatballs, cookies and soft drinks at department conferences. Through 2005 and 2006, the report indicates that over a period of 10 conferences, the Justice Department splurged on items and, although the report didn't mention that any laws were broken, suggests the department is spending a little too much. One four-day conference in Los Angeles with 1,500 attendees, for example, cost $394,000 in August of 2005. Something to think about with your spouse over dinner tonight.