B-247563.3: Apr 5, 1996

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requested a decision concerning: (1) the legality of expenditures made for recruitment and contest items; and (2) its liability for improper payments made by some of its employees'. GAO held that: (1) VA use of medical care appropriations for contest prizes and novelty items was inappropriate, since the items did not directly contribute to an authorized func...

B-247563.3: Apr 5, 1996

The Department of Veterans Affairs' appropriation for medical care was not available for the purchase of novelty items to potential employees. Were not justified under the "necessary expense rule.". The Department of Veterans Affairs was not authorized to use its medical care appropriation for contest prizes during Women's Equality Week absent evidence that the expenditures related to authorized a...