San Diego, CA—Embattled Congressman Bob Filner, candidate for San Diego Mayor, accepted over $38,000 in free travel junkets from special interests and others according to Filner’s own disclosure reports since 2000.

“We know Bob Filner missed 60% of his votes this year, and after discovering all these free vacations funded by special interests, we have a good idea of where he spent some of his free time,” commented Carl DeMaio.

According to Congressional disclosure reports since 2000, Filner has traveled to Havana, Cuba; Istanbul, Turkey; and Paris, France among other venues.

“From day one in office I have self-imposed a voluntary gift ban on myself and my City Council staff,” said DeMaio. “Bob Filner is in the pocket of special interests that have provided him with free travel junkets across the globe. I have not, and as Mayor, I will not accept gift travel from special interests.”

As the San Diego Reader reported in 2011, Filner took two trips to Paris paid for by a Colorado organization. Congressman Filner advocated for that group’s issues after his trip to Paris.

“It should not take $8,000 trips to Paris to get the attention of our elected officials. We should lead by example – and pay our own way. On that important test of leadership, Bob Filner fails,” concluded DeMaio.