Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe’s campaign travels for his long-time friend and political patron Hillary Clinton are coming under scrutiny by a Clinton watchdog group concerned that taxpayers could be stuck with the bill.
The super PAC America Rising has filed Freedom of Information Act requests with the Democrat’s office seeking information on trips since he became governor in January 2014. They are broad requests for details about his travel on private and state-owned aircraft as well as his travel partners.
Hillary Clinton campaigned for Terry McAuliffe’s gubernatorial bid. AP Photo
America Rising said the request was prompted by an unannounced trip McAuliffe made to New York last month to attend a U2 concert where Bill and Hillary Clinton were lauded. The trip was not included in McAuliffe’s public calendar.
The Associated Press quizzed McAuliffe’s aides and were told that the governor, Hilllary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign chairman, paid for the flight himself. His office did not provide any details.
Reports say that he did not have to pay, however McAuliffe has been ethically careful ever since his predecessor, Robert McDonnell, was convicted of ethical lapses. His office has no immediate comment on the FOIA request.
America Rising is putting the governor’s efforts under a microscope because he and Virginia could play the key role in helping Clinton win the presidency.
“As he prepares to jet around the country as a top Clinton surrogate, Virginia taxpayers deserve to know whether their absentee governor is politicking on their dime,” said Amelia Chassé, America Rising PAC press secretary.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
