Kino Flores Under Investigation For Taking Discounted Plane Trips

The Austin American Statesman is reporting that State Rep. Kino Flores (D-Palmview) is under investigation for taking discounted plane trips.

More from the Statesman:

At issue is whether Flores adequately reimbursed the LaMantia family, who own a Budweiser distributorship in South Texas and are developing a $23 million horse racetrack in Hidalgo County.

Flores is chairman of the House committee that oversees gambling legislation.

His attorney, Roy Minton of Austin, confirmed his client is under investigation.

“The district attorney’s office is investigating how Kino paid for his travel expenses, which I believe was a proper way for such expenses to be paid,” Minton said.

Minton said his client hitched a ride on the LaMantia plane three times on trips between Austin and McAllen. He said Flores paid them $1,500, which is what he thought was fair market value.

Minton denied rumors that Flores is considering a plea offer in exchange for his resignation.

“There has been no offer or threat made by the district attorney,” Minton said.

Flores is a key ally of Speaker Tom Craddick, a Midland Republican, who helped finance his re-election. Craddick is locked in a tough re-election battle of his own, asking the 150-members to re-elect him as speaker.