Shumaker, John—Use of UT Credit Card

Dr. Shumaker was issued an American Express travel card through the university’s travel card program in April 2002. Shumaker made charges on the card from April 5 through June 11, and because he had not moved to Knoxville, the charges were mailed to him at his office address and were unpaid. American Express suspended the travel card. Shumaker then requested that the charges be paid directly by UT, as had been the case at the University of Louisville. A card was issued with the requirement of back-end documentation adequate to satisfy IRS regulations for an accountable plan. This arrangement was an exception to UT’s travel policy. Personal purchases were placed on the travel card and not promptly reimbursed, although eventually a total of $34,747.51 was reimbursed to UT (including costs of personal travel on the UT plane). According to the Special Review of the President’s Office, conducted by UT Audit and Consulting Services and issued on August 15, 2003, Shumaker did not provide receipts for the majority of expenses charged; duplicate payments were made for some of Dr. Shumaker’s entertainment expenses; and the documentation and record-keeping of travel and expenditures was inadequate.