A budget was given to me for a specific project (that will affect me). My supv. wants to use some of that budget for other projects of his choosing (which will greatly hinder my project). When I talked to him about it, his answer was that it’s his department and he can do what he wants….in so many words. When I mentioned discussing it with the VP who gave me the budget – he told me not to and that I needed to be a ‘team player’ and keep our dept’s business to ourselves. He also said that if I couldn’t be that team player then ‘choices’ would have to be made. I took that as I would be fired or at least disciplined. I believe that he’s asked for money for his other projects and was denied – so he’s taking it from me. He’s only a director. A VP from a different dept. (not his supv., but higher than him) gave me the budget. What do I do? Do I have protection if I go to the [higher] VP against my supv. wishes? Go to HR? I fear retaliation, but I need all of the budget to do it right.

Definitely, report him. At the least, his actions are ethically unsound. At the worst, a federal crime, if you do business with the feds.
If you have an ethics department or an ombudsman in your HR structure, start there. Otherwise, talk to the sponsoring VP. I’m sure s/he will not look too kindly on the designated funds being diverted.
Short answer, yes. His actions are definitely detrimental to the company by stripping your project of the needed budget allocation. You also have accounting (read: accountability) issues with the use of the funds. The funds were not even given by your sup. Hence, the guy who gave it to you will be the one to go after you. Being a team player does not mean becoming the fall guy when the proverbial s-word hits the fan. you have to stand up for what is right because it is right. His threats is so much less than the loss of your dignity if you give in.
It is not easy, but it has to be done. Good luck.
This one is over my head. It seams that the project would be more important and you had permission from the VP. I would follow that because if your fired you can contact the vice president.
Don’t be a scaredy cat. Tell the man who gave you the money. He gave it to you for a purpose, don’t let him down.
Are you usually a timid person. Find the lion i know you have in your soul and let him loose. Take a chance, you won’t get anywhere if you don’t take a risk! Good Luck, Leo
Only if you hate him and he disrespects you
there is some not right here if he want the money for something els then the project the money is for you should report it .because if the money come up missing who is going to get blame for it
Make sure you cover your butt so you don’t become the “scapegoat” for your boss going against the best interests of the company. If you already mentioned discussing it with the VP you’ve already stepped over the line, so you better follow suit or you are going to get stuck in the middle. One word of caution, I have yet to see a VP get involved in a worker/supv. dispute….that’s why they have supv. Whether they are corrupt or not, there is a lot of gray area that upper level management just refuses to handle–many feel they are “above” those kinds of issues. I hope for your sake, this won’t hold true in your situation. Good Luck!
I say if you believe in what your doing is right than do it, you should not back down from a bully that thinks their above the rest, but be prepared for a fight and hang in there you you will come out ahead.
This is unethical. Business make money by delivering a service (projects). Your supervisor is stealing from one project to use on another.
You need to report this to your HR Employee Ethics Committee you are protected! You should save any evidence to prove your case, email or verbal conversations that transpire between you and your supervisor. Everyone has a computer in their office so it can be setup as a recording point. Cover yourself at all times, you are responsible to the VP that gave you the budget.
get the evidence… than go to your v.p. don’t do without evidence
Confirm in writing to your supervisor about your plans for the project execution, revised budget allocations and check with him if he wants any modifications. Let the copy of your letter go to the VP, so that he is not in dark about budget allocations. It is a delicate situation. I have passed through similar situation in past. Juniormost empoyee is always a scapegoat under similar situations.
Yes you should let it be know what he is doing and wanting you to hide for him. Not only if you don’t say something now but later if found out and then they know you knew you could be just as much a part of it as he is. Make sure that you do have some physical proof. Tape record his conversation with you but remember recordings can not be used in a court of law without them know they are being recorded, but they can sure help prove yourself in a situatuin like this. Good Luck
Go to your VP the one who gave you the budget. Your Supervisor cannot retaliate against you. If he decides to do so, go back to your VP and he will stand up for you. You should listen to the VP because he overrules anything the Sup. says!