Un-retiring freebies

An unidentified principal administrative analyst in San Diego County’s Aging & Independent Services unit took off on an all-expense-paid junket to the Hilton Pasadena this April 25 and 26 courtesy of Washington DC’s AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, the insurance and lobbying giant for the elderly.

Expenses, including $330 for lodging and $150 for meals, totaled $480, according to a May 16 disclosure report signed by Mark Sellers, acting director of the county’s aging division. The money covered “Attendance at AARP Livable Communities conference for manager of the Age Friendly initiative,” the document says, adding, “AARP administers the Age Friendly program in the US for the World Health Organization. Hotel and meals expenses are estimates. $25 registration fee to be refunded by AARP.”

The same day he signed off on that gift, Sellers also reported that a similarly unidentified principal analyst had gone to Chicago from October 17 through 19 of last year, also thanks to AARP. Including a $655 tab at the Hampton Inn Chicago and a $345 ticket on American Airlines, the excursion cost a total of $1150. Meal expenses of $150 were “an estimate of the value of meals and snacks provided,” the disclosure says. According to the AARP’s website, the conferences are “an opportunity for sharing ideas, best practices and solutions for making communities nationwide more livable and age-friendly.”