Singer and Grammy winner Ashanti who is a Long Island native was named tourism ambassador. She was introduced on Tuesday during a news conference as one of nine ambassadors who will promote tourism in Nassau County on Long Island.
The tourism campaign will pitch Nassau as “The Island Next Door” and is targeted at visitors to the city.
Before you stop to congratulate her she is already under fire. A top Republican county lawmaker is probing into Democratic Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi’s use of public money on a tourism promotion that included $6,790.58 for singer Ashanti’s personal expenses.
Nassau industrial development funds paid $1,800 for the pop star from Glen Cove to have her hair done by celebrity stylist Oscar James; $1,855 to have her face done by makeup artist JJ, and $2,635.58 for the pop star and her manager to stay overnight at a Ritz-Carlton hotel, according to records obtained by Newsday.
Should this type of spending be allowed?