Rubio's spending got little scrutiny

MIAMI (AP) - A newspaper analysis of the expenses of former state House Speaker Marco Rubio shows that his political spending received little scrutiny as he worked his way up the ranks in the Florida legislature.

Rubio saved about $600,000 in contributions in two political committees as he worked his way to the speaker's post. He is now running for U.S. Senate and faces Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in the Republican primary.

The analysis was the work of The Miami Herald and St. Petersburg Times. It found that Rubio failed to disclose $34,000 in expenses and paid his relatives thousands from committee funds.

Rubio said in a statement that no donors have ever questioned how the money was spent.