GOVERNMENT PURCHASING AGENT SENTENCED
FOR UNLAWFULLY ACCEPTING SALARY SUPPLEMENTATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Assistant Attorney General Christopher A. Wray of the Criminal Division announced today Shanda Turner, a purchasing agent in the administrative office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was sentenced today on a charge of unlawfully accepting supplementation of her government salary, a misdemeanor.

Turner, 34, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was sentenced by the Honorable Theresa C. Buchanan, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, to one year of supervised probation, a $500 fine, 10 hours of community service, and a $25 special assessment. Turner previously pled guilty to a one-count criminal information.

Turner’s official responsibilities for the Department of Agriculture included purchasing office supplies and services using a government-issued credit card. Turner received a $500 retail gift card from an office company because she ordered supplies from that company.

The charge against Turner is part of a broader investigation into misuse of government charge cards issued under the "IMPAC" program (International Merchant Purchase Authorization Card). IMPAC cards are used by employees of a variety of government agencies for purchasing supplies and services. Twelve individuals have been convicted to date in the investigation.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of the Inspector General; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Army Criminal Investigative Division; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Monika Bickert and Acting Deputy Chief Raymond Hulser of the Public Integrity Section of the United States Department of Justice, headed by Section Chief Noel Hillman.

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04-014