Leary livin' large

Spago in Las Vegas, Ruth's Chris amongst campaign 'meeting' haunts for Elk Grove council member


Never let it be said that Elk Grove council member Mike Leary has low-brow taste in dining, particularly when he is noshing on funds from his campaign war-chest. An examination of documents filed with the Elk Grove city clerk reveal Leary to be quite a well-traveled and sophisticated diner.

During 2007, Leary and his entourage expensed over $1,500 from his campaign funds to fine dining on five occasions. You won't see local places like Mel Dog's or Cassidy's on this report.

What you will see is the following:

	Restaurant	'Meeting' tab
Las Vegas	Spago	$373.01
S. Lake Tahoe	Swiss Chalet	$190.00
Santa Cruz	Hindquarter Bar & Grill	$125.00
Sacramento	Ruth's Chris	$499.78
Sacramento	Esquire Bar & Grill	$339.00

Great dining...if you can afford it!

Compare Leary with fellow council member Sophia Scherman's whose meeting expenses were more modest and local. During 2007 Scherman spent a total of $360 on meetings on two separate occasions at Cassidy's.

Are Leary's dining expenses illegal? Absolutely not.

Nonetheless, it is rather curious that Leary and crew find it necessary to conduct five 'meetings' outside of Elk Grove, even out of the state, while local restaurants struggle. We can only guess that Leary and his campaign manager, campaign treasurer and well-funded donors in his posse would rather spend his campaign money and conduct business anywhere but Elk Grove.

As Leary has most certainly heard, what happens is Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas!