Governor's numerous flights under scrutiny

MONTGOMERY -- The sponsor of a House resolution seeking an audit of Gov. Bob Riley's state aircraft use said Monday he doesn't oppose checking the flights of all elected legislative leaders.

"My resolution only mentions the governor,'' said Rep. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, sponsor of a resolution seeking review of Riley's state plane use.

"Include everybody as far as I'm concerned.''

Riley, the lieutenant governor, House speaker, Senate president pro tem and attorney general are eligible for transportation at no cost unless they take reimbursable political trips or personal trips outside Alabama.

A spokesperson for Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. said he used a state plane to survey March tornado damage in Enterprise accompanied by House Speaker Seth Hammett.

Sen. Hinton Mitchem, D-Union Grove, the Senate president pro tem since January, said he has not used a state plane.

Keahey said he ran on accountability and ethics and when a constituent asked whether he was all talk and no action, he asked state examiners to look into Riley's aircraft use.

Chief Examiner Ron Jones didn't return several phone calls Monday seeking comment.

Riley, his family and his inner office appear to be the most airplane-traveled administration in state history, making 716 flights since taking office in January 2003, according to records on his Web site.

Airplane use increased significantly as the 2006 election neared.

Riley's predecessors didn't use state aircraft nearly as much, records show.

Archivists said records are destroyed as per state law after three years, an indication they no longer exist for Gov. Don Siegelman, who left office in January 2003.

Previous governors were reluctant to use airplanes except strictly for business until a 1998 law virtually gave them carte blanche access under the guise of official protection.

Keahey's resolution states a cursory check of Riley's flights show personal and private travel that could require reimbursement.

Riley's Web site shows some reimbursements but it may take days to check all refunds.

Riley welcomed a review.

"Accountability and ethics reform is something people want, and this is a reasonable request,'' said Rep. Tammy Irons,-D-Florence.

A Riley spokeswoman said Riley gets legal and Ethics Commission advice before taking flights.

"The (1998) statute is pretty broad,'' said Hugh Evans III, assistant director and general counsel of the Ethics Commission. "He can use it for just about anything.''

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334) 264-6605 or dtb12345@aol.com.