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.