An investigation by the Washington Times reveals that the State Department spent nearly $300,000 of taxpayers dollars on alcoholic beverages in 2009.

Although this accounts for a small amount of the department’s budget, it raises questions about the State Department’s stewardship of federal tax dollars as the spending doubled in comparison with the previous year.

The Times believes that while the rise in alcohol spending may be linked to an increasing number of overseas post-election parties, dozens of other purchases were written off as gratuities.  Last year, more than $7,000 was spent on alcoholic beverages for gratuities in the U.S. Embassies in India and Russia, while more than $20,000 was spent on “representational liquors for Christmas gratuities” in the U.S. Embassy in Greece.

While the State Department says the expenditures are permitted under law “to enable the Department of State and foreign service to provide for the proper representation of the United States and its interest,” others disagree.

David Williams, vice president of policy at the nonpartisan Citizens Against Government Waste told the Times this spending is concerning especially at a time when Americans are struggling to find jobs and pay off mortgages.

“It’s indicative of the disconnect that bureaucrats have when they spend our money,” he said.