Student Loan Agency Head Expenses Questioned
By AP
FRANKFORT, KY - Public records show that the former head of student loan agencies in Kentucky spent $55,010 on travel and entertainment in a two-year period.
The Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/QuAVci) cited its review of records obtained through the Kentucky Open Records Act in reporting the expenses of Edward Cunningham, who was chief executive of the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority and the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corp. until retiring abruptly in April.
According to the newspaper, Cunningham's expenses in 2010 and 2011 included $42,000 for 30 trips to other states where he often treated guests to meals that cost more than $100 per person.
Board members and agency officials have defended most of the spending. Attorney Diana Barber said the expenses were vetted by two auditors and the finance committee of their governing board.