Loudoun County, Virginia, residents will long remember “Ghana-gate,” the widely-reported, lavish, $60,000 junket enjoyed by Democrats on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in the name of “Sister Cities.”
Specifically, Democrats used taxpayer dollars to purchase United Polaris Business class seats at $7,300 each, stayed at a luxurious 5-star resort, and hosted a reception for over 30 people in Ghana. When reporter Nick Minock of WJLA News pointed out to Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall that even the U.S. Secretary of Transportation flies economy class, Randall’s famously-arrogant response was, “Pete Buttigieg is not a chief-elected official of the federal government. I am the chief-elected official of the county.”
Subsequent investigations by local, Loudoun County taxpayers, and WJLA News revealed that not only was the Ghana trip’s return on investment highly questionable, but little, if any, returns had been realized from the entire Sister Cities program other than further contributing to Loudoun County’s $2B debt. As further information emerged about more global, taxpayer-funded trips, including a $40,000 trip to Uruguay, Loudoun County residents grew angry and demanded action.
In response to the outcry, Virginia State Senator Russet Perry, a Democrat, introduced legislation to place guardrails on the travel expenses of county elected officials. Perry’s bill would have required that travel exceeding $5,000 be subject to approval by the governing board, and that local officials repay any misappropriated travel expenses. The latter clause stemmed from the finding that Chair Randall had upgraded her hotel room in Ghana at double the regular rate to accommodate her husband who accompanied her on the trip.
Perry’s bill sailed through the Senate with strong bipartisan support, but none other than local Democrat Suhas Subramanyam opposed this legislation. Ultimately, the bill was defeated along party lines, but not before Subramanyam’s disregard for the ethical use of taxpayer dollars was exposed.
At a time when inflation is hammering hardworking families and individuals throughout Northern Virginia, it is deeply concerning that Subramanyam cares more about protecting expensive overseas jaunts for politicians. Perhaps his vote is explained, in part, by the fact that Supervisor Koran Saines, a beneficiary of the Ghana trip, donated to his campaign, or does Suhas Subramanyam simply support the misuse of taxpayer dollars?
Whatever the reason, Subramanyam’s vote reveals his troubling stance on public funds and raises serious concerns about how he would manage taxpayer money if elected to the U.S. Congress.
Loudoun County voters should take note — this incident offers a disturbing glimpse into Subramanyam’s priorities when it comes to safeguarding public finances. U.S. taxpayers cannot afford Suhas Subramanyam in the U.S. Congress.
