LANSING (WWJ/AP) New revelations are coming to light about Governor Gretchen Whitmer's trip to Florida in March.
A top aid to the governor released information that her trip was paid for by a travel fund not covered by tax dollars.
The total cost of the trip was $27,521 with the Governor footing $855 of it out of her own pocket, according to aid JoAnne Huls.
WXYZ reports a financial filing also reveals non-profit, Michigan Transition 2019, which was started just ahead of her inauguration, paid the money to charter the flight.
When Gov. Whitmer addressed the trip to West Palm Beach in a recent briefing; she said she went with the sole purpose to care for her ailing father.
"From a Friday to a Monday -- two full days -- I was there. It was not a vacation and it was not a gift. This was a quick trip that I took and I think it's important for people to know," Whitmer said. "Like a lot of children of parents who have health issues or relatives who have health issues, I showed up when I was needed."
She left on March 12 and returned on March 15.
She made the remarks after Deadline Detroit alleged she had traveled to Florida in a $40,000 private Gulf Stream 280 jet, shared by some of the state's richest families including the former owners of Meridian Health and the owners of the Ambassador Bridge.
In a memo to senior staff, Huls acknowledged missteps in transparency. She said: Whitmer's office "could have done a better job answering questions about the trip with more clarity."
