Floridians paid $700,000 over two years for Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp's travel, protection

"A personal chauffeur and bodyguard, multiple airplanes and three sport utility vehicles stationed around the state are all part of an elaborate network used in transporting Florida's lieutenant governor, Jeff Kottkamp."

"Records obtained by the Sun Sentinel this week show that Kottkamp, criticized for his frequent use of the state's executive aircraft fleet, also has flown extensively on a plane owned by the Florida Highway Patrol, which is charged with protecting the lieutenant governor."

"On the ground, the highway patrol drives Kottkamp around in three SUVs purchased for more than $80,000 after he took office in January 2007. One is based in Fort Myers, where Kottkamp has a home, another in Tallahassee and the third in Central Florida."

"The total tab for Kottkamp's travel and protection for his first two years in office: more than $700,000."

"Kottkamp's family flew for free on state planes. After the Sun Sentinel reported earlier this month that the lieutenant governor's tab on the executive aircraft had topped $400,000, Kottkamp reimbursed the state $6,600 for flights his wife and young son took. Then on Feb. 19, a week after the newspaper requested Kottkamp's Highway Patrol flight records, he wrote a $3,836 check for his family's travel on that plane."