A $120 bill for oysters, $4000 on takeaways and $167 on alcohol are among the expenses revealed in Invercargill City Council boss Richard King’s credit card bills, the Herald on Sunday reports today.
The newspaper revealed in November that Mr King had spent more than $25,000 using a council credit card in the 2008-09 year – the highest of any council CEO in New Zealand for the year.
Today the Herald reports on the breakdown of costs in the bills - $73,285 in three years – which it received only after complaining to the Ombudsmen, following Mr King’s refusal to divulge details.
More than $4000 was spent on restaurant meals and Asian takeaways and $120 on oysters for a council meeting.
Mr King told the Herald the costs were legitimate expenses, incurred in the course of council business.
Charges totalling $833 in private expenses had been repaid, Mr King told the newspaper.
The Squall team is looking forward to the oyster season – due to start tomorrow (tsunami permitting) – and we imagine many at city hall may be licking their lips as well.
Although, oysters may be off the menu following these revelations.
4 responses so far ↓
deckland // February 28, 2010 at 2:03 pm |
This is ridiculous, our rates go up and he’s spending up like there’s no tommorrow.$4000 on takeaways, I’m surprised the guy is not the size of a housetruck.I find he comes across like the untouchable mafia boss or something that can’t be rolled, it’s about time this gum chewing old boy moved on .The guy is on $300,000 a year as it is, maybe he should join the national party.Oh the greed and gluttony…
Paulinem // March 1, 2010 at 2:17 am |
Yeah this is not surprising, par of the course for King, over the years re credit card…. many in the community have had a problem with this guy for years …
… after this week revelations in Parliament and fulling on his sword , their over spending on credit cards yet in comparison to the ICC over spending it was nothing !!
…to this day we have never been told why Shadbolt over spent $43,000 on his card and again privacy was thrown up by King …but it was spending our money why is it allowed to be private … and certainly all four involved in credit card problems never felt the need to resign as happened in Parliament!
Andrew // March 1, 2010 at 9:53 am |
So what exactly did Phil Heatley have to resign from his office in parliament for?
Oh wait i remember, the improper use of a Govt credit card!!!
onesouthlander // March 1, 2010 at 10:00 pm |
Sadly this is further evidence of the fat cat syndrome, that is strangling our struggling economy and society. Top dollars are being paid to this CEO and the question I ask, what value does he add to the council and its ratepayers?
With his irresponsible actions, any trust and respect from his employees must be seriously eroded in promoting local government as a reputable and respected business
The blame is not his alone; the Mayor and councillors i.e. “The Board” must take full responsibility for what appears to be sloppy governance.