Mayor Ray Nagin's office spent more than $650,000 in taxpayer money last year on flowers, gifts, catering, car services, and Baton Rouge housing for the legislative session, according to a report published today in New Orleans CityBusiness.
The expenses, based on a review of 2008 purchasing invoices, were made by members of the mayor's staff and that of his communication's office, which total roughly 40 people. They include: $23,487.26 on food for meetings and event catering, $22,000 for housing of staffers in Baton Rouge; $10,058.90 for flowers; and $8,440.69 for limousine/executive car service for Nagin.