Case study - Sam and his travel

Let’s start with one common situation discussed in the surveys received.

“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.

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