Published: July 01, 2009 10:43 am      

County association spends thousands on trips, food

A newspaper investigation has found that executives at the Kentucky Association of Counties have spent nearly $600,000 in travel, entertainment and other expenses over the last two years.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Sunday the spending and salaries for the officials increased while the organization raised fees on its insurance and financing programs for counties.

The president of the board, Christian County Attorney Mike Foster, started an approval policy for travel expenses in March after the newspaper filed a request for records under the Kentucky Open Records Act.

The officials purchased thousands of dollars worth of sports tickets and gifts and paid 50 restaurant tabs of more than $1,000 each. A March 2008 trip to Washington, D.C., included two dinners totaling $4,277 and a $10,000 cancellation fee for hotel rooms that weren't used.



A look at some of the expenses paid for by the Kentucky Association of Counties:

--$31,700 2008 trip to Washington D.C.

--$1,750, dinner for 14 at Truluck's Seafood, Steak and Crab House, in Naples, Fla.

--$2,075, dinner for 14 at Ristorante Ciao, in Naples, Fla.

--$7,237, November 2008 dinner at Sal's Chophouse in Lexington, Ky.

--$7,083, July 2008 meal at Starker's Restaurant, Kansas City.

--$6,359, August 2007 meal at Jeff Ruby's restaurant in Louisville, Ky.

--$6,222, August 2008 meal at Jeff Ruby's restaurant in Louisville, Ky.

--6,107, November 2008 meal at Portofino restaurant in Lexington, Ky.

--More than $7,000 on tickets for KACo board members to attend September 2008 Ryder Cup in Louisville.

--More than $6,000 on 2008 Kentucky Derby.

--$3,324 on staff Christmas presents in 2008.

--$1,934 on staff Christmas presents in 2007.



2008 charges to credit card of KACo President David Jenkins, who has said someone else used his credit card number for the charges in question:

--$175 to Campus Cuties, a Lexington escort service.

--$168 to Godfather II, a Louisville strip club.

--$277 to The Thorobred Lounge, a Louisville strip club.

--$473 to the Hooters Casino Hotel, in Las Vegas.