This sounds like a credible explanation of the Politico Hampton
billing story. If what Katie Couric says is true ("Those 3 former budget directors have basically explained it
according to the way you're explaining it to me today') and the
accounting was appropriate( i.e. the costs weren't hidden and
eventually the costs got backed out and paid by the NYPD) I don't
see this is as the hugely significant story it was painted to be.
UPDATE: Mayor Bloomberg's press secretary provides back up and confirms the
expenses were reimbursed by the Police Department while the
Comptroller who originally raised the issue now says in effect
"that's not how we do it now." (And that's the basis on which this
accusation was made?) Similar to the CBS interview, Rudy explains
the accounting story to ABC
here.
However, if this is the first of
many like
this, it's going to be a long month before the caucus
votes.