State: OK

An employee of a state agency submits a reimbursement request with a per diem several times that permitted and other expenses prohibited by agency policy. (The per diem was to be reduced due to meals being provided as part of a residential program and documented on the lease.) The payment is erroneously authorized by the employee's supervisor. The reimbursement request paperwork and ultimate payment is corrected (not accurately but closer than the original) by the staff member of the office processing travel vouchers and the repayment is less than requested. The employee is a seasoned traveler and should be aware of the rules. This same "error" was made numerous times on the monthly reimbursement requests in the course of the same extended trip.

Is there any fraud? At what point would it occur - signing the reimbursement form affidavit or upon receipt of payment?

In addition, the damage deposit for a temporary residence was paid by the agency but not reimbursed after the employee vacated the apartment.

Is it fraud to fail to repay the deposit paid on the employee's behalf refunded to him?

Another employee authorized the travel reimbursement for a family member even signing the affidavit that he has no family relationship with the traveler. There was a nepotism agreement in force prohibiting the authorizing employee from having any input or control over the financial affairs of the other. How serious is this and what should have been done to either or both employees? (Note the spouses use different last names and the reimbursement office employee would be unlikely to know of the affiliation or nepotism agreement.)