New GOP chief fires Steele appointees

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Reince Priebus, the new Republican National Committee chief, has already fired some appointees of his predecessor, Michael Steele.

Priebus, who was elected Friday, proclaimed "changes start today" Sunday as he dismissed several members of the team planning the 2012 convention in Tampa, Fla., The Washington Times reported.

He pledged to hold "a world-class 2012 Republican National Convention that will be worthy of the next president of the United States," but said "some changes need to be made."

Steele had hired Belinda Cook, his former personal aide, as "convention liaison" at $15,000 a month plus a $25,000 signing bonus, The Washington Times first revealed in November.

Former RNC convention managers told The Times they knew of no such title and called Cook's position unnecessary, overpaid and beyond her qualifications.

Cook later rented a house in the Tampa Bay area and hired people to help her negotiate contracts with the host committee -- without the RNC's knowledge or approval. All those jobs have now been axed by Priebus.

The RNC admitted a record $22 million deficit as Steele's term ended.