ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has uncovered at least $10,000 in purchase card abuse involving the assistant to the head of Atlanta's MARTA transit system.
Sources told Channel 2's Lori Geary on Friday that the company fired Doree Henry, MARTA Chief Executive Officer Beverly Scott's executive assistant, over the personal purchases. Henry allegedly raked up personal purchases of at least $10,000 on her p-card.
"I am appalled that once again at MARTA we have purchase card abuse," said Jill Chambers, who chairs the committee that oversees MARTA spending.
Now, Chambers is calling for a review of the company's p-card policy.
Ex-MARTA Employee Suspected Of P-Card Abuse
A MARTA spokesman confirmed very few details, only releasing a statement saying, "MARTA takes any allegation of impropriety involving its policies and procedures very seriously. As a result, we are conducting a comprehensive investigation into an allegation that an employee failed to follow the proper protocols regarding the use of an authority-issued purchase card."
Henry was hired in February 2008 at a salary of $76,000, according to state documents. Last year she got a raise, bringing her salary up to $91,000.
"I can't imagine why they would have p-cards for [anyone] other than just the very top management. I don't understand why an employee is going to need one, especially like an administrative assistant," said Chambers.
Chambers said it's time for MARTA to re-examine its p-card policy, because anytime the government gives its employees credit cards with high limits, there's always the possibility of abuse. She said she wants Henry to be prosecuted.
"…Anytime someone steals from the taxpayer, they need to be prosecuted. This is theft. It's pure and simple theft of the taxpayer's money," she said.
A MARTA spokesman told Geary it's too early to know if charges will be filed against Henry, but Chambers said MARTA board members are already calling for an in-depth audit of p-card purchases.
WSBTV
