Watch CBS News

LA Coliseum Official Earned Credit Card Perks With Taxpayer Money

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The finance director of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum used his personal credit card to pay for upgrades at the money-losing stadium, earning him enough reward points for first-class air travel and other perks.

The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that Ronald Lederkramer's Chase Visa card was charged for a $270,000 sound system at the taxpayer-owned coliseum.

Records show Lederakramer paid it off in installments with government checks that he and a lower-ranking employee signed.

In the process, the Times says, he earned roughly enough redeemable reward points for a week at the downtown Ritz-Carlton, two Bulova watches or a pair of first-class round-trip United Airlines tickets to London or Tokyo worth as much as $24,000.

What Lederkramer did with the points is unclear. But Controller Wendy Greuel tells the newspaper his actions violate the city's procurement policy.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.