That’s the title of Porker of the Month, awarded by Citizens Against Government Waste to the government official they deemed has most egregiously wasted taxpayer money in the past month.
October’s Porker of the Month is Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin, who spent $355,000 to sponsor a NASCAR driver to promote the upcoming digital television transition. In a press release, the organization said the spending is especially wasteful considering the FCC has flooded television channels with paid advertisements for months in advance of the February 2009 switch.
“This doesn’t seem like the most efficient use of resources,†said FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein of sponsoring the number 38 car of David Gilliland.
Citizens Against Government Waste also questioned if Martin, of North Carolina, had ulterior motives in sponsoring Gilliand’s Yates Racing car, which is based in North Carolina. They questioned whether Martin was using FCC money to spread his name recognition in preparation for a potential political career in North Carolina after his time’s up on the FCC.
To read the full release, click here.
