Europe: Rehberg’s favorite taxpayer-funded luxury destination

Congressman’s vacation exposes government waste, illicit affair

BILLINGS, Mont.— Lobbyist Dennis Rehberg has enjoyed 15 taxpayer-funded luxury “government vacations” in 34 different countries as a member of Congress, and Europe is his favorite destination.

In 2003, Rehberg hopscotched around Europe on a lavish 10-day August getaway to Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

In the Netherlands, Rehberg stayed at a high-end Amsterdam hotel famed for hosting John Lennon and Yoko Ono.  He also spent time touring the renowned Van Gough museum and cruising the city’s canals by boat—all at taxpayer expense.

Roll Call reported that Rehberg himself hobnobbed with bureaucrats and “struck up a friendship” with President Jose Maria Aznar of Spain that resulted in the Congressman giving President Aznar his belt [Roll Call, 2/11/04].

Rehberg was not the only Congressman strengthening new bonds on the vacation.

In addition to government waste, Rehberg’ taxpayer-funded European getaway exposed an infamous congressional affair.

Then-married Rep. Vito Fosella, R-N.Y., and Air Force Colonel Laura Shoaf were on vacation with Rehberg when the illicit romance was made public.

As reported by the New York Daily News, it was in Granada, Spain—the last stop of Rehberg’s getaway—when the “lovers began flaunting their affair.”

“Dennis Rehberg is using taxpayer dollars to be a high-end tourist in Europe, sticking taxpayers with the bill with no benefit to Montana,” said Montanans for Tester spokeswoman Alexandra Fetissoff.  “The only thing that came out of Dennis Rehberg’s government vacation was more embarrassing headlines and further proof that the Congressman doesn’t believe in accountability.”

More information about Rehberg’s taxpayer-funded getaway HERE.

View Congressman Dennis Rehberg’s European vacation on Pinterest here:

Photo gallery of Rehberg’s European vacation is on Pinterest HERE.

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