CASE STUDY #1: TRAVEL
FUNDS
Problem: Sam is a recently elected member of the tribal
council. It is near the end of the fiscal year and there is
$12,000 left in his travel budget. Sam attends the Tribal
Economic Summit meeting in Albuquerque, at a cost of $6,200
in hotel room, airfare, conference fee and meals for
himself and $1,200 in airfare and meals for his wife. Since
they share a room, there is no extra cost for her room and
since she doesn’t attend the summit, there is no fee. At
the end of the year, Sam has $3,600 left in his travel
budget.
Is this an ethical violation if Sam did not actually go to
the meetings and just went sight-seeing with his wife?
(A) No, he had money left in his travel budget, and, in
fact, saved the tribe over $3,000. It is his budget to
spend as he likes.
(B) Yes, because travel budgets are to be spent for travel
to benefit the tribe.
(C) Maybe, if the tribe had a written policy against using
travel funds for personal travel, then it would be an
ethical violation.
If Sam was required to attend the meetings as chair of the
Tribal Economic Development committee and attended every
session, was there any ethical violation?
(A) Yes, he spent $1,200 in tribal funds on his wife who
did not need to be there.
(B) No, he was traveling on tribal business, accomplished
the business purpose and came in under budget for travel
for the year.
(C) Maybe, if the tribe had a written policy against using
travel funds for family members, then it would be an
ethical violation.
Perhaps you don’t think any of the above is correct. In
that case, what is your answer?
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