Modesto Councilwoman Jenny Kenoyer is out $1,495 for a free plane ride a friend gave her after winning a $20 raffle. Kenoyer has to repay the large sum (the estimated value of the ride) because council members are prohibited from accepting more than $460 in gifts from a single source per year.
To be fair, this wasn’t just any plane ride. Thanks to her friend’s raffle winning, Kenoyer got a spin in the B-29 Superfortress, which helped the Allies defeat Nazi Germany in WWII. The flight lasted just 30 minutes. Money raised by the raffle went to the Commemorative Air Force’s Modesto-based Central California Valley Squadron.
Kenoyer said she almost never accepts gifts of any kind. But a chance to ride the B-29 was such an incredible opportunity that she didn’t even think about the gift requirements. Kenoyer is a member of the Central California Valley Squadron herself and the niece of a WWII pilot.
The councilwoman’s other option now would be to report $460 of the gift and count that against the balance. She’d still have to fork over $1,035. Whatever she decides, Kenoyer doesn't seem to regret the flight.
“It was worth every penny,” the councilwoman said.
Image Credit: Flickr User 92854517@N00, https://flic.kr/p/8NQHFL via (CC BY-ND 2.0)