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05/21/12 – Criminal complaint filed v. Texas State Sen. Jeff Wentworth
May 21, 2012
Gregg Cox
Travis County District Attorneys Office
Public Integrity Unit
Austin, Texas
Re: State Sen. Jeff Wentworth and Inaccurate Financial Statements
& Pocketing State Reimbursement paid by Campaign
Dear Mr. Cox:
This complaint deals with what certainly appears to be the persistent filing of inaccurate (false) annual financial statements by Jeff Wentworth as to Part 6: Personal Notes and Lease Agreements, which required him to disclose all lease agreements involving himself and/or any family members when the liability exceeded $1,000. It also sets forth instances wherein Wentworth was personally reimbursed by the State for expenses paid for by his campaign. The specific issues will be addressed below under the following headings:
No. 1 – Pocketing Registration Fees paid by State Comptroller
No. 2 – Pocketing Airfares paid by State Comptroller
No. 3 – Lexus/Infinity Leases not disclosed on Financial Statements
No. 4 – Wentworth reimbursement from campaign for Condo he owned in Austin
No. 5 – Non-disclosure of Office Rent/Lease in San Antonio
As you’ll see, Wentworth’s campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission demonstrates expenditures to lease a Lexus or Infinity, and to lease a campaign office in San Antonio; however these leases are never disclosed on Wentworth’s annual financial reports. This conduct is reminiscent of that of former Rep. Kino Flores who was criminally prosecuted by your office in the past.
Again, I apologize for overwhelming your office with what appears to be violations of Texas criminal statutes. If you need any additional information please feel free to drop me a line.
Respectfully yours,
Dave Palmer
The Watchdawg
Folsom, CA
No. 1 – Pocketing Registration Fees paid by State Comptroller
The following are instances wherein the State reimbursed Wentworth for expenses that he pocketed even though the expenses were originally paid with campaign funds. The first set of entries was obtained from the State Comptroller’s Office and the second from Wentworth’s campaign expense records.
Registration Fees for Employee Training
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7203-REGISTRATION FEES-EMPLOYEE TRAINING
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20100917
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710.00
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7203-REGISTRATION FEES-EMPLOYEE TRAINING
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20100913
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300.00
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American Legislative Exchange Council
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$710.00
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8/05/2010
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Registration Fee For Alec's
37th Annual Meeting
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Washington
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Council Of State Governments,
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$300.00
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6/10/2010
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Registration Fee For Csg
Spring Meeting
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Lexington
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No. 2 – Pocketing Airfares paid by State Comptroller
The following facts prove that Wentworth was personally paid by the state for airfare that was in fact paid for by his campaign. The first entries below are campaign expenditures and the second entries are payments from the State to Wentworth
2008 – A
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Us Airways
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$1,038.00
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5/28/2008
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(see Travel Info)
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7111-TRAV OUT-OF-ST-PUB TRANS FARES 20081030 1,038.00 –Entry No. 2506
2008 – B
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Southwest Airlines
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$187.50
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8/10/2008
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Air Transportation San Antonio Dallas
Senate Transportation Homeland Sec
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7101-TRAV IN-STATE-PUB TRANS FARES
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20080423
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187.50
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2009 – A
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American Airlines
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$244.20
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8/18/2009
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Air Travel Attend Transportation Homeland
Security Quarterly Meeting In Dallas
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7101-TRAV IN-STATE-PUB TRANS FARES
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20090915
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244.20
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2010 – A
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Southwest Airlines
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$720.40
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8/04/2010
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(see Travel Info)
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7111-TRAV OUT-OF-ST-PUB TRANS FARES
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20100917
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720.40
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2010 – B
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Southwest Airlines
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$443.80
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6/04/2010
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Air Travel San Antonio Amarillo
Senate Committee Hearing Meeting
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7101-TRAV IN-STATE-PUB TRANS FARES
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20100713
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443.80
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No. 3 – Lexus/Infinity Leases not disclosed on Financial Statements
From at least 2011 to 2012, Wentworth has seen fit to bill his contributors for the cost to lease a luxury Lexus and/or Infinity. It would be difficult to imagine that the leasing companies would not have required Wentworth to execute said leases; however, these leases are never disclosed on his annual financial reports as set forth below.
2011 = $12,552.98 – Not listed on Report
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Lexus Financial Services
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$78.00
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6/04/2011
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Lease Payment
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Lexus Financial Services
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$6,964.24
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8/30/2011
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Multi-month Lease District/Capitol Travel
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Lexus Financial Services
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$287.54
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6/04/2011
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Property Tax
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Lexus Financial Services
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$5,223.18
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6/04/2011
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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$12,552.96
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2010 = $31,896.06 – Not listed on Report
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Lexus Financial Services
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$ 86.08
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9/03/2010
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Lexus Financial Services
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$2,067.93
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7/24/2010
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Excessive Mileage Charge
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Lexus Financial Services
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$1,741.06
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6/09/2010
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Lexus Financial Services
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$3,482.12
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7/24/2010
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Lexus Financial Services
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$249.50
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4/18/2010
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Personal Property Tax
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Lexus Financial Services
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$8,607.80
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12/28/2010
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Lexus Financial Services
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$6,964.24
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8/11/2010
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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North Park Lexus
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$1,927.81
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5/11/2010
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Motor Vehicle Lease Payment
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Lexus Financial Services
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$6,769.52
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1/25/2010
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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$31,896.06
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2009 = $20,552.98 – Not listed on Report
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Lexus Financial Services,
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$846.20
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12/08/2009
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Lexus Financial Services,
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$10,154.28
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1/26/2009
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Lexus Financial Services,
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$9,308.08
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7/13/2009
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Lexus Financial Services,
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$587.28
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3/15/2009
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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$20,895.84
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2008 = $13,566.38 – Not listed on Report
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Ifs,
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$ 1,709.72
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2/26/2008
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Property Tax On Leased Vehicle
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Lexus Financial Services,
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$ 5,077.14
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6/15/2008
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Lexus Financial Services,
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$ 1,692.38
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9/17/2008
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Lexus Financial Services,
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$ 5,077.14
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11/03/2008
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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$13,566.38
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2007 = $20,544.38 – Not listed on Report
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Ifs,
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$235.82
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8/28/2007
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Lexus Financial Services,
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$20,308.56
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6/16/2007
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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$20,544.38
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2006 = $15,495.36 – Not listed on Report
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Ifs,
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$15,495.36
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6/06/2006
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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2005 = $18,700.12 – Not listed on Report
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Gunn Infiniti,
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$500.00
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4/02/2005
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Deposit On Auto Lease
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Ifs,
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$15,495.36
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8/18/2005
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Ifs,
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$2,704.76
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10/25/2005
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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$18,700.12
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2004 = $5,459.52 – Not listed on Report
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Gunn Infiniti,
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$ 5,459.52
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12/31/2004
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Auto Lease
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2003 = $23,976.28 – Not listed on Report
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Gunn Infiniti,
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$ 1,364.88
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6/11/2003
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Automobile Lease
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Ifs,
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$ 4,119.64
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10/22/2003
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Auto Lease
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Ifs,
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$ 1,364.88
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7/17/2003
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Auto Lease
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Ifs,
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$ 2,729.76
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9/23/2003
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Auto Lease
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Ifs,
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$ 13,648.80
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12/31/2003
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Auto Lease
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$23,227.96
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2002 = $16,976.28 – Not listed on Report
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Gunn Infiniti,
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$16,976.28
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5/14/2002
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Lease For Automobile
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2001 = $12,552.98 – Not listed on Report
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Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.,
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$683.60
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7/19/2001
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Excess Mileage Lease Vehicle
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Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.,
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$797.90
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11/12/2001
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Property Tax Lease Vehicle
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Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.,
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$2,059.36
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1/23/2001
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.,
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$2,416.22
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2/28/2001
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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Gunn Infiniti,
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$16,976.28
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5/22/2001
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Motor Vehicle Lease
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2000 = $1,441.40 – Not listed on Report
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Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.,
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$ 1,441.40
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11/13/2000
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Desc: motor Vehicle Lease
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No. 4 – Wentworth reimbursement from campaign for Condo he owned in Austin
According to Travis County records, Wentworth owned a Condo on Colorado Street in Austin beginning 1989. Since Wentworth lives in San Antonio I cannot see how it would be lawful for him to bill his campaign for condo fees in Austin when there are no legislative sessions.
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Owner's Name
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WENTWORTH E JEFFREY & KARLEEN
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Mailing
Address
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& KARLEEN R
160 COUNTRY LN
SAN ANTONIO, TX78209-2228
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Location
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1122 COLORADO ST 1703 78701
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Legal
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UNT 1703 BLD A WESTGATE CONDOMINIUM THE AMENDED PLUS 0.3177% INTEREST IN COMMON AREA
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Deed Date
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08141989
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2010 = $8,238.93 – No legislative sessions
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 347.00
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6/18/2010
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 352.00
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1/27/2010
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 359.00
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4/18/2010
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 377.30
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9/05/2010
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 748.30
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8/11/2010
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 71.65
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10/27/2010
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Austin Lodging
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 368.30
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6/23/2010
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Austin Lodging
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 351.00
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2/25/2010
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Austin Lodging
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 352.00
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4/26/2010
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Austin Lodging
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 445.08
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9/22/2010
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 2,050.00
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10/20/2010
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Austin Lodging
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 367.30
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10/29/2010
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Austin Lodging
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$8,238.93
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2009 = $4,363.46 – Sessions – Jan 13 to July 2
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 736.00
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7/06/2009
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 354.00
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12/24/2009
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 363.00
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8/22/2009
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 383.00
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11/07/2009
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 347.35
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2/28/2009
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Housing In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 384.76
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4/26/2009
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Housing In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 377.00
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12/05/2009
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 367.00
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8/03/2009
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 361.00
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11/07/2009
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 352.35
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1/26/2009
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Housing In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 338.00
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3/28/2009
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Housing In Austin
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$4,363.46
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2007 = $2,117.14 – Session Jan 9 to May 28
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 351.62
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4/30/2007
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 384.23
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2/06/2007
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 352.62
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3/29/2007
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 359.82
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5/29/2007
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 360.23
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1/15/2007
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Lodging In Austin
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Westgate Condominium Assn
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$ 361.62
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2/27/2007
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Lodging In Austin
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$2,117.14
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No. 5 – Non-disclosure of Office Rent/Lease in San Antonio
Again it would certainly seem reasonable to conclude that North Frost Center would have required that Wentworth execute a lease for a property he was using for personal purposes. However as with the case for the Lexus and Infinity, Wentworth never discloses this lease on his financial reports.
2011 Office Rent/Lease = $19,800 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,800.00 x 11
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4/24/2011
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Office Rent
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2010 Office Rent/Lease = $21,600 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,800.00 x 12
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6/09/2010
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Office Rent
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2009 Office Rent/Lease = $21,600 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$ 1,800.00 x 12
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1/26/2009
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Office Rent
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2008 Office Rent/Lease = $21,600 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,800.00 x 12
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1/03/2008
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Office Rent
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2007 Office Rent/Lease = $21,600 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,800.00 x 12
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2/05/2007
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Office Rent
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2006 Office Rent/Lease = $20,080 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,800.00 x 8
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4/30/2006
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Office Rent
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$3,079.95
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2/28/2006
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Office Rent
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,500.00
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8/07/2006
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Office Rent
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$2,100.00
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8/29/2006
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Office Rent
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2005 Office Rent/Lease = $11,000 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,000.00 x 11
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10/27/2005
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Office Rent
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2004 Office Rent/Lease = $11,000 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,000.00 x 11
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6/28/2004
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Office Rent
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2003 Office Rent/Lease = $12,000 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,000.00 x 12
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12/31/2003
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Office Rent
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2002 Office Rent/Lease = $15,000 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,000.00 x 15
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7/09/2002
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Office Rent
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2001 Office Rent/Lease = $12,000 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$1,000.00 x 12
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11/30/2001
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Office Rent
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2000 Office Rent/Lease = $11,200 – Not listed on Report
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NorthFrostCenter,
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$800.00 x 14
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1/08/2000
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Office Rent
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