Audit: Misuse of Wash. university credit cards

SEATTLE — A new state audit has found Washington university credit cards were used to make more than $225,000 in purchases not allowed by state policies.

Most of the purchases were for alcohol or gifts. And the majority were made by people associated with the University of Washington.

The audit released Monday pointed out, however, that Washington’s four-year public universities have effective polices and most credit card purchases are fine.

The University of Washington has the largest number of credit cards — more than twice as many as Washington State University — and processes the most purchases through those cards.

State-issued credit cards aren’t supposed to be used for alcohol, gifts, donations to charity or personal purchases.

During the 2012 fiscal year, Washington’s six four-year colleges and universities used credit cards to buy more than $164 million in goods and services.