State Worker Fined For Selling Mary Kay On State Dime

 

Just a reminder to run your business with integrity.

An employee with the state Family and Social Services Administration was fined for selling Mary Kay products during work hours, Call 6 Investigator Kara Kenney reports.

The Inspector General said Cari Hercamp used her state email address to conduct personal business.

Specifically, investigators found Hercamp sent and received emails regarding Mary Kay business, constructed an employment contract for her husband's business and exchanged emails related to personal business from no less than sixty-six different sources; all in violation of the computer and internet use agreements she completed and without the knowledge or permission of FSSA.

When interviewed by investigators, Hercamp admitted to selling Mary Kay products from a booth at the Kentucky Flea Market and distributing business cards using her state email address for the purpose of soliciting flea market customers.

She also admitted to using her state computer and email account to send and receive personal email messages, according to a report.

Under the Indiana Code of Ethics, state employees can't use state materials, funds, property or equipment for any purpose other than for official state business unless they receive permission to do so.

She entered into an agreed settlement with the Office of Inspector General, in which she admitted to violations of use of state property and ghost employment.

The state's ghost employment rule says state employees can't engage in work other than official duties during working hours, unless they receive permission to do so.

Hercamp agreed to pay a fine of $200 and has paid her fine in full, according to the report.

An FSSA spokesman said Hercamp still has her job.

The Inspector General has investigated and issued its report. FSSA has no further comment. She is still employed at FSSA, spokesman Jim Gavin wrote in an email to RTV6.

Source: theindychannel.com