Grapevine: Gov't worker paid for 91 days' worth of nothing

Time and attendance abuses included not showing up to work

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine…

Money for Nothing

One government worker did nothing -- 91 days’ of nothing -- and you paid him for it.

And no -- he was not fired.

Following a whistle blower complaint -- the man identified as Examiner A -- in the Patent and Trademark Office -- was investigated by the Commerce Department Inspector General.

The IG found -- in fiscal year 2014 -- the employee racked up at least 730 hours of time and attendance abuse -- plus nine written and oral warnings.

Abuses included not showing up to work at all -- not logging into his computer -- and skipping out mid-day to play pool or hit golf balls.

He was paid roughly $25,000 -- for the down time.

Examiner A resigned his post before he was scheduled to be interviewed by the investigators -- telling a co-worker -- the union said he could keep his personnel file clean -- if he quit before the interview.

The IG has recommended the office try to reclaim the salary.

The U.S. attorney in Virginia -- will not prosecute the case.

Great Endeavour

NASA is reaching into its past -- and storage closet -- to find parts for the International Space Station.

Four water tanks are being salvaged from the shuttle Endeavour -- which is permanently on display in the California Science Center -- after completing its final flight in 2011.

The tanks are said to be in working order -- since they were designed for many more missions than the shuttle flew.

The museum was happy to help out -- quote -- "The concept of taking something from an old shuttle and making it available for use in space is something that we think is great."

Blast From the Past

Finally -- a century-old message in a bottle -- has finally reached its destination.

Inside was this postcard -- asking that it be sent to the Marine Biological Association of the UK -- which the finders did.

The bottle was released between 1904 and 1906 as part of a study of sea currents.

One shilling was offered as a reward for returning the message -- and was sent to the couple who found it.

The Guinness Book of World Records in investigating to see if it is the oldest message in a bottle -- to be recovered.