Gov. Crist and entourage traveled in style across Europe as businesses and taxpayers footed the bill

[RandiFan1290]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sfl-flgovtrip07sbdec07,0,5721620.story


This summer, as the state's economy plunged, Gov. Charlie Crist took an entourage to Europe on a 12-day trade mission.

The business development trip to London, Paris, St. Petersburg and Madrid was supposed to cost taxpayers $255,000. The actual tab was far higher — in excess of $430,000, the Sun Sentinel found in a detailed review of the July trip's costs.

Taxpayers paid for more than two dozen people to accompany Crist, including a photographer, a spokeswoman, four aides, two agency heads and nine bodyguards. The bodyguards alone spent more than $148,000 on meals, hotels, transportation and incidentals, including nearly $630 in dry cleaning.

Their boss, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey, went along to sign a crime-solving agreement with British police, billing taxpayers $5,135 for less than 12 hours of official duties over four days. Bailey stayed an extra week at his own expense and brought his wife. His spokeswoman said he was on call around the clock and complied with state travel and vacation policies.

[malaise]

1. Send Fitzgerald to Florida

right fugging now.

[LynneSin]

2. Nine Bodyguards for WHAT???!!!!!

Geez, he's just a fricking governor. I could see feasibly 1 or 2 at the most but NINE???!!!!

This is Europe and they're probably more civilized than some of those nutjobs in Florida (although mind you not all of Florida is filled with nut jobs)

[crikkett]

5. to keep the paparazzi away from him and his boyfriend perhaps?

I'm just sayin'.

[LynneSin]

7. CRIST IS GAY --- I thought he just got married

And we know that if you're a republican and married to a woman you can't be gay - right, right right???!!!??!!

[crikkett]

9. Wonkette ran stories about a gay campaign worker who kissed and told

just before Crist's election.

If I remember correctly.

[nykym]

3. Maybe what we need

is something like the health insurance people to review expenses and set rates for politicians.

[benld74]

4. Been a Fed worker for over 20+ years,,,,

and have had it pounded into my head about improprieties while on travel, the do's and the don'ts etc etc, Then the so often reports about certain agencies being caught spending improperly on the government issued cards.
BUT, shit like this always happens. Some *wipe goes on a fact finding mission and wipes out half a million in 12 days! WTF?
ANY government employee NO MATTER HOW LOW OR HOW HIGH on the totem POLE NEEDS TO BE HELD accountable for what the hell they spend on travel!

[DonCoquixote]

6. Of course

This is Bonnie Prince Charlie, bought and paid for by the same Pirates who have been exploiting Florida for years. If you think this is bad, wait till he runs with Jeb in 2012.

[valerief]

8. Well, Crist IS Rethuglican. nt