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Lawmaker Wants Audit of Riley's Aircraft Use

By Associated Press

Montgomery, AL – A state legislator has introduced a resolution in the House that seeks an official audit of Gov. Bob Riley's use of state aircraft.

The resolution by Rep. Marc Keahey, a Grove Hill Democrat, asks the state Examiners of Public Accounts to subpoena the flight logs of aircraft used by the governor.

It also seeks a complete audit to "determine whether private or personal travel was made at state expense without full and appropriate reimbursement to the state."

Keahey says he was particularly concerned about two flights taken by the governor in recent months to attend the weddings of a former aide and a member of his security staff. The resolution could come up for a vote in the House this week.

Riley told The Associated Press on Friday that he welcomes an audit of records of his flights on state planes and helicopters.

Riley says he always checks with officials at the Alabama Ethics Commission before taking flights that appear to have a personal purpose.

The attorney for the Alabama Ethics Commission, Hugh Evans, says Alabama law is "pretty liberal concerning what it allows the governor to do with the plane."

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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