WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - Taxpayers spent more than $18,000 to cover Gov. Bobby Jindal's security detail during his trips to stump for former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

The other costs of Jindal's trips for non-state business, such as flights, meals and hotels, are paid for by his own campaign, other GOP campaigns or event hosts. Louisiana taxpayers, however, still have to pick up the costs of his bodyguards.

An Associated Press review of expense statements filed by troopers shows that at least $226,500 has been paid by the state police for out-of-state travel with Jindal since he took office in 2008.

Sixty-two percent of the money spent on flights, hotels, meals and taxis for the security guards involved trips that had more to do with Jindal's political ambitions than with state business.