RICHMOND, Va. — Author's note: The video above is on file from December 2, 2021.
Virginia state agencies are being told to no longer identify for the public which employees are incurring expenses on government credit cards.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the recommendation comes from the state Department of Accounts at the request of a bank that is the state's credit card vendor.
But an open government advocate says that advice appears to contradict the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and allows workers to escape outside scrutiny.
The Department of Accounts started giving the advice to all agencies in early 2020, and the state comptroller says it's connected to preventing identity fraud.