An Associated Press review has found that Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds received approval from a state regulator to fly for free to Iowa State’s bowl game on a jet owned by a company that is a longtime state vendor. That’s despite a law barring public officials and their relatives from accepting gifts. Reynolds flew to Tennessee to watch the Cyclones play in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30 on a plane owned by Sedgwick, which administers workers’ compensation claims filed by injured state employees. Reynolds’ office received approval from the state ethics board director to accept the flight for herself and her family as a campaign donation from Sedgwick’s CEO. He says he reimbursed his company for its use. Records show her office said “bona fide campaign events” would take place during the half-day trip.
