Former Indio city manager: Charges 'out of control'

Credit card use among Indio employees hasn't always been as widespread as it is today, according to former City Manager Tom Ramirez.

Ramirez, who resigned without explanation in July 2004, preceded City Manager Glenn Southard as the city's top administrator. He also served as the city's police chief and founded the Indio Youth Task Force.

Ramirez said about 14 people had cards during his tenure and they were kept with finance until needed. He said he insisted on “restrictions on certain spending limits.” If his wife was with him while he was on city business, he would ask for two bills so city taxpayers never covered his spouse's meals or expenses. He also said that every charge had to be reviewed by a supervisor and if something wasn't justifiable, the employee could be disciplined.

Ramirez recently met with The Desert Sun to review the city's credit card statements, noting the documents contained “big red flags.”

“There is no way in hell they can justify buying Minnesota Viking tickets,” Ramirez said, pointing to a $1,156 charge in October 2008 on the card issued to assistant to the city manager Mark Wasserman. “Nobody at the top is setting the standard for performance. You're talking about taxpayer money.”

Southard and Wasserman declined to discuss specific charges, but Councilman Glenn Miller said he thought those trips were for pre-approved youth group outings.