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org CONTACT: Tony Manolatos (619) 549-0137 or amanolatos@gmail.com Felipe Monroig (619) 234-6423 or felipe@sdcta.org Click here to view and share as a web page

Mayors Trip to France Raises Red Flag for Taxpayers

Bob Filner says Au revoir to accountability, SDCTA Seeks Answers
SAN DIEGO (July 18, 2013) Airfare, food, hotel and transportation for Mayor Bob Filners personal security detail: $22,000. A trip to Paris with a complete lack of accountability to San Diegans: Priceless. Ongoing investigative news reports from 10News and U-T San Diego have revealed that Mayor Bob Filners recent trip to France in May cost taxpayers at least $22,000. The Mayors personal expenses were supposedly covered by a non-profit organization; however, his SDPD two-man security detail was taxpayer- funded and details surrounding the trip remain hazy. As a taxpayer watchdog and advocate for transparent, accountable government, we would be remiss if we didnt challenge the Mayor to explain the cost of his recent trip. Taxpayers have footed the bill, and taxpayers want to know what theyre paying for, said Felipe Monroig, president of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. SDCTA has researched the cost of a five-day trip to Paris, France for two. Based on the current federal per diem rate of $541.00 plus airfare*, a five-day trip for two amounts to $9,114. Based on rates from a popular travel website*, the trip would amount to $7,560. So how did the cost of Mayors security personnel for the trip amount to more than $22,000? Thats a lot of croissants. SDCTA calls on the Mayor to live up to his promises of open and transparent government and provide a thorough explanation of the costs incurred during his trip, said Monroig. Taxpayers ought to have a clear explanation of how their money is being spent by city government. We call on the Mayor to give them the answers they deserve.
* Expedia.com

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The San Diego County Taxpayers Association is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting accountable, cost-effective and efficient government and opposing unnecessary taxes and fees. Founded in 1945, SDCTA has spent the past six decades saving the regions taxpayers billions of dollars, as well as generating information to help educate the public. You can follow SDCTA on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.