OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Tourism Commission's chairman says he's alarmed by a new state audit that uncovered questionable spending practices within the independent state agency.
Chairman John Chapo says the commission is "extremely concerned" by the findings and will take steps to correct them. The commission went into closed session during its meeting Tuesday at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, but took no immediate action after the meeting was reopened.
The audit released last week found that Nebraska tourism officials used state money to reimburse a marketing firm for alcohol and cigarettes, accepted meals from contractors and paid $44,000 in speaking fees for a 90-minute speech by a corporate executive.
In addition, a contractor for the agency hired the daughter of the commission's director for a promotional photo shoot near Valentine.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed