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Neva Peckham, a contract specialist in the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, repeatedly used her state-issued travel card for personal purchases, including a visit to a nail salon. At the time, Peckham managed a $10 billion contract for credit cards issued by the state. (Photo: Brandi Kruse/KIRO Radio)

Exclusive: State employee in charge of $10B in contracts misused taxpayer money

BY Brandi Kruse  on February 7, 2013 @ 11:29 am (Updated: 12:28 pm - 2/10/13 )

An employee who was in charge of billions of dollars in contracts for the state of Washington still has her job after using her state-issued travel card for personal purchases such as groceries and a trip to a nail salon, KIRO Radio has learned.

Neva Peckham, a contract specialist in the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, was in charge of awarding $10,896,190,903 worth of contracts, including those involving state-issued credit and travel cards.

According to documents obtained through public disclosure after a source within DES brought the misuse to KIRO Radio's attention, Peckham repeatedly used her state-issued travel card in and around Olympia from January 2012 to June 2012. Unauthorized purchases included multiple trips to grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants. She also spent $30.00 during a visit to a nail salon and spa in McCleary, Wash.

The total amount of unauthorized purchases was $658.63.

Peckham was warned about personal use of her card in June of last year when it came to the department's attention, but used it five additional times for personal purchases the following month, according to documents.

"Personal use of your issued state travel card is considered a serious violation of ethics in public service, state statutory and administrative requirements regarding use of state funds," Roselyn Marcus, assistant director for contacts and legal services, wrote to Peckham in a letter dated Oct. 8, 2012. "Accordingly, this type of violation seriously reflects on your ethics, your knowledge, our division, and the agency."

Peckham not only managed the state credit card program at the time of the misuse, but helped the Office of Financial Management write administrative and accounting policies surrounding card use, according to a DES memo. She also worked with U.S. Bank to "guide agencies on avoiding fraud."

"It's an ethical violation," said DES Spokesperson Steve Valandra. "It's a serious matter for this agency and I think any state agency."

As a result of the misuse, Peckham is in the process of being transferred from her duties handling the state's credit card contracts. She now manages more than $230 million in contracts for state-owned vehicles.

Her state-issued travel card has been cancelled.

A source within DES believes Peckham should have been fired.

"She violated the trust of her superiors, the agency, the people of the state of Washington," the source told KIRO Radio. "There are a lot of good people that are out of work right now that are trustful and honest and I'm sure they'd love to trade places with her."

Valandra said Peckham is a valued employee who simply "made a mistake."

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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Comments (69)


  • Add A Comment

  • GoSupes86 wrote...
    Heffer
    February 7, 2013 12:51 pm
    Everyone should Facebook this heffer by the name of Neva Peckham. She should be fired and ashamed of herself for using public funds like that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    FIRE HER, HER BOSS, HER BOSS'S BOSS...and the Govenor.
    February 7, 2013 1:57 pm
    and the President!! We Americans did. Fired Clown Bush!! The end to the GOP in WH !!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kato1967 wrote...
    Clearly....
    February 7, 2013 2:10 pm
    this is Bush's Fault.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    kato1967
    February 7, 2013 4:48 pm
    Not you too!!! Can you stop with the hyperbole, you are better than that. Now me, I am not, but you. This is a come on mam or man moment.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • JH in SD wrote...
    The Real Issue
    February 7, 2013 2:45 pm
    A fact in the 21st century is that firing a government employee is a nearly insurmountable process unless they commit a felony and even then it can be dicey....getting co-workers killed (Bengahzi) no one fired; forge bridge safety inspections (CALTRANS) employee allowed to retire; teachers who rape - transferred around; party like a rock stars to the tune of $800K (GSA 2012) earns reprimands...on and on and on.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    "It's a serious matter for this agency"
    February 7, 2013 3:37 pm
    Then Fire Her A $$ Now.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • notmygov1 wrote...
    Well i have to say
    February 7, 2013 3:45 pm
    I grew uo in law enforcement and any theft over $250.00 is a felony why was she not charged i think we need to have everone call and e-mail to have her Fired and charged with the crime. What a bunch of B S Everone please call now i'm going to.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • notmygov1 wrote...
    Sorry
    February 7, 2013 3:46 pm
    Sorry i meant everyone.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • notmygov1 wrote...
    Well i see
    February 7, 2013 3:51 pm
    I see this fat ugly woman makes $55.600 per year what a waste of tax money oh and go figure she loves casinos.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    don't be sorry not my gov 1
    February 7, 2013 4:12 pm
    xkop is our site spell checker. I leave her a dimand every now and then.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    Former State of WA Manager...
    February 7, 2013 4:34 pm
    here, too. This is just a glimpse of one person, but there are abuses nearly everywhere. Mileage reimbursement for the use of privately owned vehicles on state business was one of the more prolific outright thefts I saw. Of course, the unaccountability for large blocks of work time was more insidious, but no less wasteful.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }