Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) used contributor's plane -- but failed to disclose flights

crew — Tue, 4 Dec 2007 11:07:47 -0600

Roll Call (sub. req.) reports that Missouri Congressman Sam Graves has been the beneficiary a contributor's plane -- and Graves "frequently flies the airplane to events around the district." Yet, Rep. Graves never disclosed use of the plane in his House reports:

Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) has accepted perhaps thousands of dollars worth of free flight time in a vintage airplane owned by a contracting firm in his district that also is a major source of funds for Graves’ campaigns.

Graves has never reported on House financial disclosure reports that he has been using the firm’s airplane, and in news accounts of his travels, the airplane — which is decorated with a sticker reading “Sam Graves, Pilot” — is described as his.

Ethics experts say Graves’ failure to disclose the flights as a gift may be a violation of House ethics rules.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington - Sam Graves

Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) used contributor's plane -- but failed to disclose flights