Overview

• The board found no clear and convincing evidence that CEO Phil Washington used public office for private gain, and no sanctions were announced.
• Washington and eight senior executives attended a three-day conference in Madrid in April, flying first or business class with tickets reported around $9,000 to $19,000 and a total cost near $165,000.
• The opinion said it was “appalled” by the expenditures and criticized Washington’s “seemingly cavalier” response to the complaint.
• Investigators questioned Washington’s claim he did not know ticket prices, noting he approved cost estimates before purchase, and they rejected the argument that premium cabins were needed to “hit the ground running.”
• The board challenged the number of delegates, noted the conference is annual, saw no link between premium seating and securing new air routes, and reported the trip was funded by airport user-fee revenues.