Dining Out

Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Republican Party today issued the following statement as part of on ongoing effort to expose Rep. Paul Kujawski’s failed record on Beacon Hill.

MassGOP Communications Director Barney Keller said, “From Dallas, Texas to Hyannis, MA, Paul Kujawski has repeatedly abused his campaign account for his own personal use. It’s time we stop sending the same people back to Beacon Hill and start sending people who will keep the public trust. That’s why the voters of the 8^th Worcester District should elect Kevin Kuros on November 4^th.”

Dining out on Campaign Account: State Rep. Paul Kujawski dined 107 times at pricey restaurants in Boston, Cape Cod, Worcester, Rhode Island and Western Massachusetts last year, charging the bills to his campaign account. In addition to eating out at a rate of twice a week, the Webster Democrat also spent $798 on dry cleaning, about $420 a month to lease a Ford, more than $3,000 on gasoline and $346 on auto excise taxes- all billed to his campaign fund. The lawmaker admitted to violating campaign finance laws in the late 1990s and paid $10,000 in fines and restitution in 2001 under an agreement with the attorney general's office and the Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Under state law, elected officials can use money contributed to their campaign fund for a wide range of purposes, as long as it is to enhance their political future or to perform constituent services. Mr. Kujawski, 50, an ally of House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran and chairman of the influential Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee, filed his 2003 year-end report Jan. 13 with the OCPF. (Telegram & Gazette, 1/19/04)

Paul Kujawski’s Favorite Restaurants To Eat Out On His Campaign Contributers

Abe & Louie’s: “The lawmaker dined at Abe & Louie's, a swank Boston steakhouse, four times last spring and summer with constituents from Central Massachusetts, racking up bills of $340, $325, $405 and $320.”

Antonio’s Cucina: “But he also patronized the not-so-upscale Antonio's Cucina on Beacon Hill, although he spent $650 at the family-style Italian eatery for a March 6 reception for a soccer team from Douglas.”

The Colonial Club: “Closer to home, he favored the Colonial Club in his hometown of Webster, where he entertained constituents eight times over the course of the year.”

The Point Breeze Restaurant: “He spent $9,170 on a fund-raiser at the Point Breeze restaurant on Webster Lake on Sept. 8.

One Eleven Chop House: “In Worcester, Mr. Kujawski spent more than $500 at the upscale One Eleven Chop House and Sole Proprietor restaurants.”

Ate out from Westfield to Hyannis: “He also visited establishments in Auburn, Oxford, Millville, Westport, Westfield, Amherst, Springfield and Northampton. In the summer, Mr. Kujawski headed to Cape Cod.”

And He Really Loves Eating on The Cape: “He held a July 3 fund-raising meeting at the Tugboats restaurant overlooking Hyannis Harbor, spending $230. Mr. Kujawski also spent money on fund-raisers and meetings with constituents at the Ocean House in Dennis Port in July and August. He returned to the Cape in early September for two golf outings in Harwich.”

He even visited Dallas, Texas: “In October, he flew to Dallas for a conference, according to the campaign finance report, spending nearly $1,000 on airfare and hotel accommodations.”

All Information From The Telegram & Gazette, 1/19/04