Treasurer Chip Flowers Releases Long-Held State Credit Card Records

State Treasury Releases Flowers’ Travel Records

Documents, posted on website, show no personal use of state credit card

State Treasurer Chip Flowers today released travel expense records for the 24 trips he has made to out-of-state meetings and conferences since assuming office in January 2011.

“These documents will show that I used my state credit card only for official business and that at no time did I ever use my state credit card or state funds for personal purposes,” Flowers said.

“I am truly saddened that my political critics would falsely accuse me of using taxpayer funds inappropriately,” said Flowers, who noted that he gave up his first year after-tax salary as treasurer in order to create two internships in the office.

The documents, along with the statement Flowers delivered at a news conference this morning, have been posted on the State Treasury website,www.treasury.delaware.gov. Also posted were the travel records of the former deputy state treasurer.

In reviewing his travel records before they were posted on the website, Flowers and his staff determined that he only owed an additional $151.34 for lodging and food purchases in excess of permitted daily limits. Flowers has reimbursed the state for those overages.

In addition, Flowers said he will reimburse the state another $460.80 for lodging and dining expenses associated with meetings at the 2012 National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, and $415.25 for lodging, dining and car rental expenses incurred for meetings at the 2012 annual conference of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) in Seattle, Wash.

The state has been reimbursed for expenses by NAST and NASACT. “I hope these payments will show the public my willingness and desire to protect the integrity of the Delaware State Treasury,” Flowers said.

During the news conference, Flowers also summarized actions being taken to prevent future errors in the processing of credit card and travel expense paperwork. The process of filling the vacant senior fiscal officer position, which is responsible for these documents, is underway. Also, Flowers said he will use his personal credit card for certain official travel and “personally assume the reimbursement risk” for expenses incurred.

“I believe that these actions will restore faith in the Treasury, its staff, and me,” Flowers said.

“I sincerely apologize to the people of the state of Delaware for the confusion and the distractions that have occurred as a result of a mistake made within my office. I hope the posting of the travel information today will resolve this issue and enable all of us to resume working together to enhance the greatness of Delaware,” Flowers said.

Update: (News Journal) Jeff Montgomery reports ~ Chip Flowers to repay state for some Alaska trip charges

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