| ► Did Rep. Joe Pickett of El Paso improperly pocket per diem payments from the State? |
 |
 |
|
Did Rep. Joe Pickett of El Paso improperly pocket per diem payments from the State?
Texas State Rep. Joe Picket has allegedly been representing the best interests of his constituents in the El Paso area for the last sixteen years. He is now running for a ninth term for the 9th Assembly District in the November 2010 election.
As you’ll see from the text box below, Rep. Picket has billed and collected over $149,000 from the State in per diem payments that were meant to pay for his lodging and meal costs from 2003 through June 2010. However, during this period of time his campaign paid $130,000 for these costs, meaning he didn’t incur any lodging expenses in Austin.
It certainly appears that Rep. Joe Picket owes his campaign at least $47,000 for per diem payments he pocketed from the State even though he did not personally incur any lodging expenses.
Reporting Rep. Pickett’s conduct to the proper authorities
A complaint will be filed shortly with Travis County DA, the Texas State Controller, the IRS and the Texas Ethics Commission regarding Mr. Pickett’s conduct.
Joe Pickett’s Travel/Lodging Costs for 2009 are:
$39,996 = State paid Per Diem
$13,126 = Lodging costs paid by Campaign
$19,877 = In-State public transportation fares
$72,999 = Total travel costs for 2009
|