Lawmaker Says No Taxpayer Money Will Be Used For Her Transportation

The company owned by Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill's husband has purchased an airplane that could occasionally be used for the Senator's transportation, but the lawmaker says no taxpayer money will be used if she flies in the plane.

The Democratic Senator and her husband Joseph Shepard sold an aircraft in which they had a stake in 2011. She had been required to reimburse the federal treasury $88,000 for travel funded by taxpayers and $320,000 in delinquent property taxes on the aircraft, including penalties and interest.

The purchase of the new aircraft was disclosed Friday. McCaskill (pictured) said she might occasionally use the plane for personal travel, but that there would be no taxpayer funds involved if that were the case, according to a report from KMBC television. Tax and financial compliance and auditing for the airplane will be managed by an independent company.

The deadline for filing a property declaration is January 2.

FMI: www.mccaskill.senate.gov