Use of Federal Employees as Personal Aides to Federal Officials in Selected Departments and Agencies

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reported on the number, type, and cost of Federal employees serving exclusively as chefs, chauffeurs, and other types of personal aides for individual Federal officials in selected agencies.

Most of the agencies in the survey reported that certain of their officials received individualized transportation services. In those cases where an employee was assigned to drive a specific official, the driver performed other duties when not driving the official. All departments reported that certain top officials received transportation service between residence and place of employment. Government transportation between residence and place of employment is authorized by the U.S. Code for the President and heads of certain executive departments. However, the use of Government vehicles is primarily a matter of administrative discretion, and such use does not violate Federal statutes when it is deemed to be in the interest of the Government. Finally, GAO stated that none of the departments and agencies reported having dining rooms where employees provided food service for one specific official. However, some reported dining rooms that were restricted generally to top officials.