According to special inspector general Neil Barofsky’s report on the Troubled Asset Relief Program, funds allocated to rescue the economy in the financial crisis were spent on a three one-year subscriptions to CQ Today Breaking News & Schedules, CQ Congressional & Financial Transcripts, and CQ Custom Email alerts.

The Office of Financial Stability also got a subscription to the Washington Post ($395), in addition to a contract for “newspaper delivery” with a company called NNA INC. for $8,220.

The expenses contrast with other costs associated with implementing TARP. For instance, an “interagency agreement” provided two separate payments, one of $243,740, another of $63,248, for detailees from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (though why the Office of Financial Stability required ATF services is unclear, but one can assume a certain expertise in financial flows).

Beltway ConfidentialTARPUSWashington Post