Sean Bielat, the Republican challenger to 15-term Rep. Barney Frank, Massachusetts Democrat, is demanding Frank provide documents related to a private jet trip Frank took with a billionaire hedge fund head from Portland, Maine to the Virgin Islands for some sun-filled days of R&R.
The documents, Bielat said, would show what amount Frank reimbursed the billionaire hedge fund head for the private jet travel. The issue is important because members of Congress are required to reimburse private groups and individuals for travel at market rates.
“Frank should release the opinion from the Ethics Committee so we know exactly what Frank was claiming,” Bielat said. “If he did not disclose all the gifts or undervalued them, he could be in violation of House ethics laws.”
Frank said the private jet travel was valued at $1,500 in financial disclosure forms. The Boston Herald reported the private jet travel could have cost as much as $30,000 each way.
The famously cantankerous Frank is in the fight of his political life against Bielat, a young former Marine.