Movie stars among those entertained at NM gov’s mansion, costing state $139,000

Celebs among those entertained at NM gov’s mansion

SANTA FE, N.M. — Gov. Bill Richardson spent almost $139,000 for dinners and receptions at the governor’s mansion last year, entertaining thousands of guests including movie stars George Clooney and Robert Duvall.

A discretionary expense account covers the costs of the events. Spending from the fund was up 63 percent from 2007, when the governor campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination and traveled extensively outside of New Mexico.

Expenditures totaled $138,925 in 2008, according to a report obtained by The Associated Press in response to a public records request. Spending had dropped to $85,197 in 2007 from $109,486 in 2006.

The only restriction in state law on the so-called contingency fund is that expenditures must be “for purposes connected with obligations of the office” of governor.