ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando city commissioners have charged nearly $50,000 to their city credit cards in a year, records show.
Investigative reporter Daralene Jones reviewed the expenses and found most of the tax payer money was spent by two commissioners.
Commissioner Sam Ings racked up the biggest bill, totaling $27,000; $15,000 of that was spent in travel, meals and catering, and entertainment expenses, including an $887 bill at the Amway Center and a $783 at the Metrowest Golf Club.
Document: Purchase list and credit card statement
Ings also used the money to send flowers and rent a car for two parades.
“I hate to judge before I know the whole story, but if it’s being spent for something it’s not supposed to, then I definitely do not agree with that at all,” said Orlando resident Ashley Westbrook.
Commissioner Regina Hill spent $14,000 at stores like Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, Marshall’s and Old Time Pottery.
Hill said she bought office supplies and items needed for community events.
She said the $3,500 on travel conferences and $1,400 on meals were spent to do city business.
Hill said she couldn’t remember why tickets were purchased for a show at the Doctor Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
She said she valet parked to avoid the short walk from City Hall across the street, where she said she puts in 60 hours a week.
“They should only use it for particular things, definitely not as freely as they have been using it,” said Palmer.
Commissioners Jim Gray, Tony Ortiz and Robert Stuart spent the least: a combined $5,000, mostly on small meals in town, an expense they said was for city business.
A chunk of Ortiz’s spending he said was reimbursed because he traveled representing the city as a board member of an organization.
Sam Ings is the only commissioner who hasn’t returned Jones’ calls or emails.
Commissioner Patty Sheehan is the only commissioner without a city credit card.
WFTV
