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KCAL-TV exposed the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars in the use and abuse of government owned helicopters and aircraft by Los Angeles City and County politicians and governmental agencies. KCAL found out just how outdated and disorganized the accounting and record keeping was when it came to determining who was flying in helicopters, for what reasonn and what checks and balances were in place to ensure only proper usage. The investigation found little if any cost controls or monitoring of how the helicopters were used and for whom and what purpose, including a $3,400 flight to Phoenix for 3 DWP officials -- The use of LAPD helicopters to fly a shuttle service for a chili cook-off and the continued use by LA County Supervisor Mike Antonivich of LA County Fire's $1,400 an hour water-dropping helicopter for personal transportation. (May 8, 9 & 10, 1996)