McDonnell reports $43,500 in taxpayer-funded trips

Governor Bob McDonnell reported $43,583 in taxpayer-funded trips in 2011, chiefly for international marketing missions, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonpartisan tracker of money in state politics.

That includes $14,812 for a trade mission to Asia, $12,151 for a trade mission to the Paris Air Show, $9,806 for a trade mission to Israel.

The total is more than double the $18,194 reported by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine in 2008, the previous one-year high in trips paid for by taxpayers since VPAP began tracking such figures in 2006.

"The governor's economic development trips have produced significant results for Virginia that dwarf the very limited costs associated with them," said Tucker Martin, a spokesman for McDonnell. "You don't need an MBA to see that this is an incredible return on investment."

Martin said McDonnell's trips "were responsible for nearly 1,800 new jobs created in Virginia, $21 million in new capital investment made in Virginia, and more than $75 million in new agricultural exports from Virginia, all in 2011 alone."

Statewide officers file the forms annually with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The reports also offer insight into the personal finances and holdings of statewide office holders and lists gifts they've received.

In addition to McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli must file the forms. A review of the information shows that neither has debts in excess of $10,000. McDonnell, and his wife, Maureen, reported debts between $10,000 and $50,000, according to VPAP.

VPAP concluded that "Neither McDonnell, Bolling nor Cuccinelli appear to have significant personal wealth, particularly when it comes to Wall Street investments."

According to VPAP:

* Neither McDonnell nor Cuccinelli reported owning any stocks bonds mutual funds or commodity contracts valued at more than $10,000. Bolling reported one fund valued between $10,000 and $50,000.

* McDonnell reported $99,092 in 62 gifts and trips; Cuccinelli received 16 trips and gifts valued at $35,290; Bolling reported 44 gifts and trips valued at $15,419.

* Bolling and McDonnell each own rental properties in Wintergreen. Cuccinelli owns no income-generating property.

McDonnell's $8,700 in gifts associated with trade missions or economic development announcements include a $4,000 pair of night vision goggles.

McDonnell received the goggles at a July event to announce that ITT Defense and Information Solutions, would invest up to $5 million to establish its new corporate headquarters in Fairfax County. The goggles were given to the Virginia State Police.

Additional information and itemization of trips and gifts can be found at www.vpap.org.