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    • Chip Flowers to reimburse the state for some Alaska travel fees
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    Chip Flowers to reimburse the state for some Alaska travel fees

    Online Niel Posted on

    Jeff Montgomery
    | The news journal

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    Saying he was “truly saddened that my political critics would falsely accuse me,” state Treasurer Chip Flowers today released more details about his office’s undocumented travel expenses, saying he will reimburse taxpayers $1,027.39 and will take steps to “restore faith” in the operation.

    During a brief press conference that included an apology for “the confusion and distractions that have arisen as a result of mistakes made in my office,” Flowers blamed some of the problems on administrative failures by a now-retired tax officer and denied any abusive use. of funds.

    But he also acknowledged that he owes the state $151.34 in hotel and food “overages” after a three-year review of expenses, and said he will reimburse the state for a portion of room and board expenses incurred during to a conference in Alaska, as well as lodging, meals, and a car. rental payments by taxpayers during an extra day spent at a conference last year in Seattle.

    The refunds, Flower said, are intended to “avoid any future confusion” after reports suggested some of the taxpayer funds for the trip were used for unofficial activities. Copies of the supporting documents were due to be released on Wednesday afternoon.

    Senate Minority Leader Gregory F. Lavelle, D-Sharpley, said it was too early to say whether Flowers had answered all the questions, adding, “When all else fails, blame politics.”

    “I’m sure he’d love to get behind it all,” Lavelle said. “But I haven’t seen the documents yet. I’d like the Accounting and Administration Division to review them.”

    “I don’t think anyone asked him to do anything other than comply with state policies,” Lavelle said, “which he either had a hard time doing or documenting, or both.”

    Flowers did not elaborate on the sources of the misperceptions or “inaccurate information,” but described it as an “undue distraction for Delaware and its treasury.”

    The latest controversy began over the expenses charged during a meeting of the National Association of State Treasurers in Alaska, attended by Flowers and Assistant Treasurer Erika Benner, and continued when documents were missing that could confirm they did not taxes were placed on the taxpayer’s tab for private expenses.

    Flowers claimed no taxpayer money was spent on personal expenses.

    His office and personal actions have come under increasing public scrutiny for months as questions about the use of credit cards by those in his office cascaded into investigations into a deputy treasurer’s expenses, his own travel and use of public funds and a recent recognition that the agency records. they are out of order or completely missing.

    Reports in The News Journal detailing state credit card charges for the Treasurer’s activities led to Benner’s forced resignation in August.

    Benner reimbursed the state $6,051 in taxes over a two-year period, including more than $1,000 spent on tickets to a New England Patriots game and related car services.

    More recently, Flowers’ own expenses have been called into question after he failed to provide records requested under the Freedom of Information Act regarding expenses that included travel expenses during a trip to Alaska in 2012 and Vermont in 2011.

    Flowers defended his expenses for the September 2012 National Association of State Treasurers conference and expenses for five additional nights after the meeting, including three funded by taxpayers. He issued a unitary check for $2,925.27 late last month from the association, saying that proved the group paid for the trip.

    Earlier this month, he said he was working with the Attorney General’s Office to investigate the missing records and other issues attributed to a former employee. Although Flowers said a criminal investigation could result, the state Department of Justice has denied any administrative or criminal review.

    The Accounting Division opened its own review of the Treasurer’s charges several months ago, but reported earlier this month that it had yet to receive a final accounting of the disputed charges. and misuse of credit cards.

    After Benner paid the state, Flowers said he would not try to document the expenses or prove they involved state-related activities.

    State Republicans recently called for an immediate investigation, with the party’s top House and Senate caucus leaders describing the Treasurer’s Office as “out of control,” citing “continuous allegations, confusion and the inability to consistently document the use of taxpayer funds for journeys”.

    Flowers defended his expenses for the September 2012 National Association of State Treasurers conference and expenses for five additional nights after the meeting, including three funded by taxpayers. He issued a unitary check for $2,925.27 late last month from the association, saying that proved the group paid for the trip.

    Earlier this month, he said he was working with the Attorney General’s Office to investigate the missing records and other issues attributed to a former employee. Although Flowers said a criminal investigation could result, the state Department of Justice has denied any administrative or criminal review.

    The Accounting Division opened its own review of the Treasurer’s charges several months ago, but reported earlier this month that it had yet to receive a final accounting of the disputed charges. and misuse of credit cards.

    After Benner paid the state, Flowers said he would not try to document the expenses or prove they involved state-related activities.

    State Republicans recently called for an immediate investigation, with the party’s top House and Senate caucus leaders describing the Treasurer’s Office as “out of control,” citing “continued allegations, confusion and the inability to consistently document the use of taxpayer funds to journeys”.

    Read full coverage on delawareonline.com later today and in The News Journal tomorrow.

    Online Niel
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