Irwindale officials spent lavishly during business trips to discuss housing for the poor

Los Angeles Times ^ | October 27, 2010 | Jessica Garrison

[BRK]

The Irwindale officials charged Wednesday with misappropriating public funds took lavish business trips to New York City, including meals at five-star restaurants, evenings at Broadway shows, chauffeured rides and nights at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, according to records obtained by The Times.

The spending came as leaders in Irwindale spent $87 million in affordable housing funds over eight years, but only built 42 homes. Two trips to New York were for the purpose of discussing bonds for housing for the poor in the San Gabriel Valley city of about 1,500 people.

[BRK]

Don't you just love people who care so much about the poor? Whenever I travel for my job, I get per diem and have to pay for Broadway shows and meals myself, but then I don't have near the compassion and caring that these liberals have.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

It doesn't matter whether you are a local city councilman ripping your city off for a couple million or Obama ripping the nation off to the tune of a trillion. It seems every government officer is a dirty crook.

This story is especially appalling. The good news is that Councilman Mark Breceda, retired City Manager Steve Blancarte and finance director Abe De Dios are charged with five felony counts of misappropriating public funds.

If you didn't read the particulars, here's a summary based on expense reports:

• One trip to NYC in 2003 had fewer than eight hours of scheduled meetings
• City officials arrived on Saturday and checked into the Ritz-Carlton.
• Sunday - no business meetings
• Sunday - brunch at the River Café (current prix fixe menu for omelets or poached eggs is $55)
• Sunday afternoon - matinee of "Jackie Mason Laughing Room Only"
• Sunday evening - dinner at Atelier, a restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton.
• Monday - officials met for a few hours with bankers
• Monday - lunch at Bouley Bakery
• Monday - dinner at Peter Luger Steakhouse
• Tuesday - meeting at 10 a.m.
• Tuesday - lunch at ritzy Le Bernardin
• Tuesday - afternoon matinee of "Phantom of the Opera."
• Wednesday - short meeting in the morning
• Wednesday - lunch at the exclusive sushi restaurant Nobu
• Wednesday - late afternoon hockey game.

Total cost to Irwindale taxpayers: $37,852.

Read the comments at the web site -- they are all anti-government. Great news, especially for LA.

[tommyboy]

$2.07 mill/home. They must be real nice.

[John O]

No party mentioned. They must be democrats (how unexpected!)

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Yeah, where can I get one?

This story shows, in a nutshell, what is wrong with every level of government in the US.

[narses]

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[tommyboy]

I concur. Have a wonderful day.

[BWDog]

Ain’t spending money that’s not coming out of your pocket great? With bozos like this, I always wonder when the little voice of one’s conscience saying “This isn’t right!” went silent.

[ErnBatavia]

Irwindale spent $87 million in affordable housing funds over eight years, but only built 42 homes.

I thought Al Davis took all their money when he hosed 'em into thinking he was going to move the Raiders to their gravel pit.