The U.S. Naval Academy’s superintendent said he is reforming spending policies to regain donor confidence after the government found a “slush fund” of questionable expenses.
Vice Admiral Michael Miller said he is working with auditors and investigators to combat the “gray areas” of spending donor money while the Naval Academy increasingly becomes part civilian university, part government organization, according to an AP report.
“It should not be all taxpayer dollars in my mind,” Miller said. “It should be donors that want to support those efforts, if they believe in it.”
The academy relies on donors to fund many important programs, such as a proposed $100 million cyber security studies facility. But confidence was shaken after 110-page inspector general’s report found an “off-the-books slush fund” that paid for tailgate parties and luncheons for senior academy personnel, and also noted spending on alcohol for social events. The report found that the spending benefited football coaches’ families.
The previous superintendent, Jeffrey Fowler, didn’t last long after the investigation.
Miller said he planned to proposed changes to the spending of donor money by early next year.
