Workers at a government subsidized lithium-ion battery company are so idle that they spend their days playing Texas Hold 'Em and Monopoly, reports Wood TV 8 in Holland, Mich.
The company, LG Chem, received a $151 million grant from the Department of Energy, and supplies batteries for electric cars like the beleaguered Chevrolet Volt. According to Wood TV 8:
"There would be up to 40 of us that would just sit in there during the day," said former LG Chem employee Nicole Merryman, who said she quit in May.
"We were given assignments to go outside and clean; if we weren't cleaning outside, we were cleaning inside. If there was nothing for us to do, we would study in the cafeteria, or we would sit and play cards, sit and read magazines," said Merryman. "It's really sad that all these people are sitting there and doing nothing, and it's basically on taxpayer money." [...]
The Target 8 investigation has led the Washington, D.C.-based Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board -- an oversight agency for the federal stimulus program -- to take action.
"We are sending this to the Inspector General, Department of Energy, for his review," said Ed Pound, spokesman for the board. The Inspector General's Office would decide whether to open an investigation. Pound refused further comment.
Video via the Weekly Standard.