01/22/2004: 
Criminally Absurd
Mass. Official Spent $17,000 for a TV
From Associated Press
BOSTON - Massachusetts' former public safety secretary spent $17,000 in state anti-terrorism funds on a 60-inch plasma screen television for his office, although the set has no special capabilities.
In June 2002, James P. Jajuga tapped into a special account set up after the Sept. 11 attacks to buy the television, the Boston Herald reported Tuesday, citing state records.
Jajuga, the focus of a federal investigation into possible misuse of grant money, did not immediately return a call for comment.
He is a former state trooper and Democratic state senator appointed public safety chief by acting Gov. Jane M. Swift. He lost his job with the election of a new governor.
Gov. Mitt Romney said he was "dismayed" by the report and instructed current Public Safety Secretary Edward Flynn to sell the television.
When questioned, Jajuga said that he had purchased the big screen so that he could practice his counter terrorism tactics by playing Rainbow 6 on his Xbox.
