Mayor Fenty takes another 'secret' trip

It sounds like a game, but it is actually a serious matter the District mayor wants to treat as a game. After weeks of criticism from journalists and civic leaders about his unannounced $25,000 trip to the Middle East (paid for by the United Arab Emirates), Fenty continues to leave town without making his trips public, and he continues to take gifts without disclosing any details.

The mayor, as a guest of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, attended the first round of March Madness to support American University last Thursday. The mayor's trip, while completely justifiable, was a secret. There was no mention of the trip on the mayor's public schedule. When questioned about the trip, his spokesperson would only confirm that the mayor attended the game.

The mayor's office declined to say who attended the game with the mayor, who paid for his tickets, what the cost to taxpayers was or how he traveled.

Fortunately for those interested, Mayor Nutter's Office was far more forthcoming. According to a spokesperson for Nutter, Fenty requested six tickets to Nutter's sky-suite at the Wachovia Center. Nutter, who did not attend the game, provided the tickets valued at a total of $420. Fenty was apparently accompanied by two staff members, three children and a security detail.

Mafara Hobson, a spokesperson for Fenty, confirmed the information provided by Nutter's staff, but would not elaborate.

"According to the Attorney General, I don't need to tell you that," Hobson said when asked what staff traveled with Fenty.

"Not everything I do is on my public schedule," Fenty said prior to his trip.

Fenty was a frequent critic of his predecessor, Mayor Tony Williams, for his frequent out-of-town travels. And while Fenty leaves town (as far as we know) far less than Williams, the fact is we really don't know if the mayor is in town or not because he has decided not to tell the public.

He campaigned on a platform of reform, accountability and transparency -- yet will only disclose information that is "legally required."

"I don't think anyone is saying I did anything illegal," Fenty said of his Middle East trip in February.

Fenty has also made a big deal of breaking the traditional mold of a politician. The mayor drives himself in a smart car on most days rather than the chauffeured-driven limos many politicians use. He also doesn't travel with a security detail as he criss-crosses the city everyday. So why does he choose to take his security detail on an out-of-town trip to a basketball game?

The mayor's spokesperson won't say.

Clearly the mayor has the right to travel for both personal and official reasons, and he has no legal obligation to tell anyone when he does. But he is required to report gifts, even a $70 ticket to a hoops game, and the government is required to report how tax dollars are spent -- even for the gas for the mayor's Lincoln Navigator.

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