Yakima wants pay back after employee's farewell party racks up $800 in cupcake bills

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — Officials in Yakima want a former city employee to pay back nearly $800 in taxpayer money she spent on cupcakes for her own office farewell party.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports that when former Human Resources Director Cheryl Ann Mattia resigned in December, she ordered $757.40 worth of gourmet cupcakes from a local cafe.

City Manager Tony O'Rourke says the expenditure was a "gross misuse" of taxpayer money.

Mattia says the expenditure was the result of a misunderstanding between her and a staff member when the order was placed. But she says it was a legitimate expense.

O'Rourke says the city could take Mattia to small claims court to recoup the money.