WALLET WOES: The Massachusetts Cultural Council charged $3,700 at Davio’s, above, on a state-issued credit card over 12 months. WALLET WOES: The Massachusetts Cultural Council charged $3,700 at Davio’s, above, on a state-issued credit card over 12 months.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council is defending its charges of $3,700 in meals at upscale Davio’s on a state-issued credit card, insisting they were “lawful and properly authorized” and not subject to strict Baker administration guidelines on spending taxpayer money.
The Baker administration rules do not allow procurement “P-cards” to be used for “meals, snacks or coffee.”
Council spokesman Greg Liakos said in a statement: “All Mass Cultural Council expenditures support its mission as an independent state agency to expand access, excellence, education, and diversity in the nonprofit arts, sciences, and humanities.”
He added “all agency expenditures are lawful” and “properly authorized.”
The council, a quasi-state agency which issues $20 million in grants for the arts while co-managing a $10 million cultural facility fund, ran up the bills at the pricey restaurant in 35 separate charges ranging widely from $2.41 to $247 over the past 12 months. It’s not right for taxpayers to pick up this tab.”
State policy, established by Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore, specifically holds that “P-cards shall not be used for the following: Cost of meals, snacks, or coffee.”
The Bank of America card should be used as “payment of last resort,” the A&F rules stress.
“To protect taxpayer dollars and limit spending, the Baker-Polito Administration updated credit card policy use and procedures to restrict the number of cards in circulation and limit their use,” A&F spokeswoman Julie Mehegan added in a statement.
The Herald reviewed P-card spending by the Cultural Council and numerous other state agencies for a report published last Sunday, using data provided by the state comptroller’s office, which manages the bills. Sullivan said the comptroller’s goal to post all state P-card purchases online would help “enforce” policy and boost “transparency.”
“When a state employee with a state credit card is in the line at Davio’s,” Sullivan added, “the guy right behind him is paying for that expensive takeout, too.”
