Despite the Postal Service 's mandate to curtail spending , its inspector general found that `` imprudent spending continues to occur , including continued purchases of gift cards from unauthorized vendors and expensive items purchased as employee recognition awards and retirement gifts . '' Purchases included crab cakes , Mount Wellington , cake for postmaster installation ceremony . $ ##ed districts for buying $ 14,140 in movie tickets as employee incentives . Purchases conflict with goal to cut costs after reporting $ 3.8 billion deficit in 2009 fiscal year . ` ` It appears there is still work to be done in curtailing spending , '' agency 's vice president says .
Purchases included crab cakes , Mount Wellington , cake for postmaster installation ceremony . $ ##ed districts for buying $ 14,140 in movie tickets as employee incentives . Purchases conflict with goal to cut costs after reporting $ 3.8 billion deficit in 2009 fiscal year . ` ` It appears there is still work to be done in curtailing spending , '' agency 's vice president says .