( CNN ) -- The federal agency that protects the nation 's borders is doing a shoddy job protecting the nation 's wallet , abusing an overtime fund to the tune of $ 8.7 million annually , according to a government watchdog . The U.S. Office of Special Counsel , an independent federal agency that receives whistleblower complaints , said offices within Customs and Border Protection and elsewhere within the Department of Homeland Security engage in a `` gross waste of government funds . '' Overtime money intended for special circumstances was routinely given to employees who frequently spent that time watching sports and entertainment channels , Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner wrote in a letter to the White House . Employees working in CBP 's `` Situation Room '' received overtime 89 percent of the time , Lerner said . `` This case is not an isolated occurrence . Rather , it is part of a persistent pattern of AUO [ Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime ] allegations raised by DHS employees , '' Lerner wrote . The problem was brought to light , the OSC said , by several CBP employees who were authorized to receive the overtime pay but were troubled by the ethics of the practice and its impact on the federal budget . The DHS said in a statement that Acting Secretary Rand Beers had requested a `` comprehensive , department-wide review of the use of ( administrative overtime ) . '' `` DHS takes seriously its responsibility to ensure proper use of taxpayer funds , '' spokesman Peter Boogaard said . DHS made a similar promise after allegations of overtime abuse surfaced in 2008 , the Special Counsel said . In February of that year , a whistleblower alleged abuses at the Office of Border Patrol in Lynden , Washington . After a department report confirmed that employees abused overtime and that senior managers benefited from improperly approved overtime , the agency promised to implement `` an Agency-wide AUO policy directive '' to prevent misuse throughout the agency . `` That commitment was made more than five years ago , '' Lerner wrote in her letter to the White House . `` The lack of progress in implementing plans first outlined five years ago raises questions about the agency 's willingness or ability to confront this important problem . '' The use of administrative overtime `` functionally [ extended ] their daily shift by two hours each day , but are not the result of any unpredictable or compelling law enforcement need , '' Lerner wrote . Lerner wrote that DHS must curb the abuse and , if warranted , revise the pay system to ensure fair pay for employees who are legitimately working overtime . The OSC said it is investigating whistleblower allegations of overtime abuse at five DHS locations : . -- CBP 's Office of Training and Development in Glynco , Georgia . -- U.S . Citizenship and Immigration Services ' Office of Security and Integrity in Washington . -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Houston . -- CBP 's facility in San Ysidro , California . -- CBP 's facility in Laredo , Texas . House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said the revelations the overtime allowance is meant for agents who work unique hours `` often in pursuit of drug smugglers '' and other people `` who pose a threat '' to the nation . `` This money was not meant to be a slush fund for officers or agents at desk jobs who work regular hours and who are clearly taking advantage of the system , '' he said . `` The Committee will continue to investigate abuses such as this . ''
Whistleblower watchdog says overtime fund abused by $ 8.7 million annually . Customs and other Homeland Security offices engaged in `` gross waste '' of taxpayer funds . Overtime money routinely given to employees who spent time watching TV . Official says case not isolated and was raised by Customs employees .