Recent reports cite a blatant misspending of US government taxpayer funds immediately following the aftermath of the 2004 and 2005 Hurricane seasons which included the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. FEMA took the money that was acquired from the sale of hundreds of thousands of trailers which had been used as temporary shelters for victims of the storms. Then they used the money to buy SUVs, GPS devices and other inappropriate items. The Homeland Security Department’s inspector general was the person who cited the blatant misspending of millions of dollars that should have been returned to the U.S. Treasury.
Specifically, FEMA spent close to $2.9 billion on over 200,000 trailers and mobile homes for displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina and other storms. By law, the money must be returned to the government or spent on additional trailers. Neither of these options were taken.
FEMA used 13 million in proceeds of the sales for travel expenses and government purchase cards in addition to several other questionable services. House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson said this has not been the first time FEMA has shown irresponsibility with taxpayer money. FEMA also admitted to the error and claims to be making changes to prevent further mistakes. They insist, however, that the proceeds were used for disaster relief and emergency assistance and not for personal luxuries or other outlandish purchases which have been commonly spread as accusation by the media.