WASHINGTON — The head of the federal agency that oversees supplies, transportation and office space for the federal government has resigned following reports of lavish spending at a Nevada training conference in 2010.

Martha Johnson, who led the General Services Administration, has submitted her resignation as the agency’s inspector general prepares to release a report on the training conference outside Las Vegas.

The Washington Post reports that organizers spent $835,000 on the event, which was attended by 300 employees. Some of the expenses included $3,200 for a mind reader, $6,300 on a commemorative coin set and $75,000 on a training exercise to build a bicycle.

White House chief of staff Jack Lew says the White House “acted quickly to determine who was responsible for such a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars.”


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.