Who is watching the Parol Board?

Under the category of unbelievable, from the Herald.

Donald Giancioppo, the Parole Board’s executive director, authorized more than $12,000 alone on T-shirts and pins for all 200-plus employees, along with “recognition coins” and a catered lunch for an annual event recognizing the Parole Officers of the Year.

The board’s spending binge in June, just before the new fiscal year began, came as state revenues plummeted. Fiscal watchdogs have been warning that the commonwealth will be strapped for cash for the next two years.

Giancioppo, who responded to the Herald in a written statement, had second thoughts about the spending, but said the navy blue T-shirts and pin giveaways were part of an annual event honoring hardworking parole officers.

“Upon reflection, recognizing the current economic situation, the expenditures for this year’s Parole Officer Week most likely should not have been made and we will continue to be vigilant in our efforts to reduce costs while improving operations,” he said.

The spending included:

$8,199 on embroidered T-shirts for all staffers, averaging out to about $38 per shirt;

$3,300 on pins etched with the words “Excellence; Dedication; and Professionalism,” and recognition coins reading, “Committed to excellence, professionalism, and integrity”;

$13,000 on 11 new desks, 18 office chairs and 21 stackable chairs; and

$10,315 on eight new computers, 11 new printers and two BlackBerrys.