Here’s a way to rub it in: Organize two government employee “signature event” conferences in Orlando in which your inspector general ultimtely finds nearly $800,00 in questionalbe expenses — and pay the staff organziers $43,000 in bonuses!

That’s what you learn happened in the new report from the Veteran’s Administration inspector general (PDF download) probing the summer 2011 HR-related events for 1,800 human resources staffers at the Orlando World Center Marriott. (Politico broke the story late yesterday).

Says the report: “In our opinion, VA held these conferences to fulfill valid training needs. However, VA’s processes and the oversight were too weak, ineffective, and in some instances, nonexistent. Thus, many conference costs were not sufficiently documented, which made them difficult to clearly justify, or identify whether they were accurate, appropriate, necessary, or even reasonably priced.”

Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration John Sepulveda “abdicated his responsibilities,” the report concludes.  Politico reports that he has resigned.

The conferences cost about $5-$6 million — maybe. The inspector general said conflicting numbers have been issued by the VA, which “continues to provide varying estimates.” The report says “serious management weaknesses” preclude the VA from providing an accurate estimate.

The report also found 11 of VA employees who organized the event accepted improper gifts from event contractors, including comped rooms and food — as well as perks such as massages, manicures and pedicures, and helicopter tours.

Below is a screen grab of the itemization of expenses that the inspector general found questionable.