Auditor General says EAC president's use of college credit card for personal expenditures should stop

An article detailing Eastern Arizona College President Mark Bryce's use of a college credit card for personal expenditures, including buying meals for himself and others, was published in the Eastern Arizona Courier of Safford, Ariz. on Sunday, March 14.

Penned by Staff Writer Diane Saunders, the article also reports that Arizona Auditor General Debbie Davenport says the practice should stop. Bryce said he did nothing wrong, according to the article, which notes that Bryce is not accused of any crime.

"Instead, it is critical of a bookkeeping system that allowed Bryce and other officials liberal use of college credit cards," Saunders wrote. "Bryce was the only official named in the report, which covers the five-year period of 2003 through 2008."

According to the audit report:

“As a result of our review, we determined that the (college) district has made improper loans of credit and public monies to the president totaling at least $7,402 and allowed him to spend over $16,000 in violation of district policy, $4,000 of which may have been a gift of public monies to himself and other district officials.”

The report also shows that Bryce used his college credit card to purchase airfare for his wife or children on eight separate occasions.

“On six occasions, these family airfare tickets were purchased more than 30 days in advance of the travel,” the report states. “Furthermore, on six of these trips, (Bryce) used the district credit card for additional travel expenses, such as family meals and spa services.”

According to the article, "Bryce said he used the college credit card to book family trips because he wanted to be sure all family members would be on the same flight. Also, he chose certain flights because of reduced fares and asked an employee to make the arrangements.

"According to Bryce, there was never any intent to misuse his college credit card, and he did not hesitate to reimburse the college. "However, according to the article, "the repayment period ranged from two to 151 days, according to Davenport’s report. Bryce contends the delay was because he was not notified promptly, not because he put off repaying the college."

The report also notes that district policy prohibits credit cards being used for meals, but both Bryce and the college deny that such a policy exists.

"The audit also states more than $13,000 in purchases were not supported by itemized receipts. About $10,000 of those purchases involved food," Saunders wrote.

Eastern Arizona College is the community college district Gila County contracts with for the operation of Gila Community College campuses in Payson, Globe and San Carlos.  Gila County is too small to meet the state requirements to operate its own district.