Associated Press Published

Legislative Expenses Being Questioned

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Policy changes are on the way after former state Sen. Truman Chafin sought more than $34,000 in reimbursed expenses.

State Senate Clerk Clark Barnes tells The Charleston Daily Mail that he wants his office to review expense reports from legislative officials.

Barnes says currently, the Senate’s bookkeeping office hands the reports direc

tly to the legislative auditor’s office for approval.

Barnes also says he wants to require filing of expense reports within the same fiscal year.

The Charleston Gazette first reported that Chafin recently cashed in more than $34,000 in per-diem expenses dating back to 2011.

The longtime Mingo County Democrat was upset by Republican Sen. Mark Maynard in last year’s election.