No-Show Rep. Bettie Cook Scott Took Thousands in Gas Mileage Reimbursements

Bettie Cook Scott (Photo: YouTube)

We knew former Detroit Rep. Bettie Cook Scott was driving up to Lansing occasionally to cash in on a gas mileage reimbursement, even though she wasn't doing much there. Around the time she lost her primary election for a different seat, Scott stopped showing up for votes (that was even before she got caught calling her Asian-American opponent "ching-chong" to voters).

But thanks to The Detroit News, we now know just how much taxpayer money Scott got out of the scheme. From July through December, she collected $2,600 in mileage reimbursements. 

And that's not all: 

Scott also elected to collect her $10,800 expense stipend from the House, which is paid out in $900 monthly installments and used for various expenses such as rent in Lansing, Simon said.

That's on top of a $71,685 annual salary. 

House officials told The News that Scott's gas mileage billings were approved because "she did some business with the House Business Office on the trips." Lawmakers can be reimbursed for one round trip to Lansing each week.