Giuliani security costs questioned

NEW YORK, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Rudy Giuliani, as mayor of New York, allegedly used city money to pay for special security while kicking off his extramarital affair with now-wife Judy Nathan.

Previously undisclosed government records that are likely to become a political liability for Giuliani's presidential campaign show he paid for the added expenses through the budgets of obscure city departments -- including agencies responsible for regulating loft apartments and aiding the disabled -- Politico reported Wednesday.

The expenses were first revealed in 2001 after a city auditor stumbled across $34,000 worth of travel expenses buried in the accounts of the New York City Loft Board.

When asked about the bills Giuliani's aides refused to clarify them, citing "security," said Jeff Simmons, a spokesman for the city comptroller, Politico reported.

The records have been turned over to the city Department of Investigations.

The city paid for Giuliani's visits to the Hamptons, including hotel accommodations and gas for the mayor's round-the-clock New York Police Department security detail, the Web site reported.

Politico said it is impossible to know if all the trips were to visit Nathan. Receipts show Giuliani in Southampton every weekend in August and the first weekend in September 2001, before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.