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Last updated on Thursday, March 22, 2012
(INDIANAPOLIS) - As criticism over Sen. Richard Lugar’s residency continues in the political arena, the senator has agreed to pay back $4,500 in hotel expenses.
Lugar's primary opponent, Republican Richard Mourdock, has attacked Lugar for moving out of Indiana in 1977. Last week, the Marion County Election Board ruled that he can't vote in Indiana from the home he's registered from because he abandoned in 34 years ago.
While Lugar appeals the election board's decision, the senator admitted that staff errors caused taxpayer money to be improperly used to the tune of $4,500.
"I was unaware of routine staff work over the course of several years where we may have made mistakes," Lugar told POLITICO Wednesday. "I'm sorry that I was not more observant."
Although Lugar has lived in Virginia since 1977, financial records are only available as far back as 1991. The issue stems from a rule requiring senators to use their usual place of residence when the Senate is adjourned. Lugar had registered the Indiana home he sold in 1977 and had used taxpayer money for hotel stays while the Senate was adjourned.
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