Saying that he was "truly saddened that my political critics would falsely accuse me," state Treasurer Chip Flowers today released more details on undocumented travel spending by his office, saying that he would repay taxpayers $1,027.39 and take steps to "restore faith" in his operation.

During a brief news conference that included an apology for "the confusion and distractions that have occurred as a result of mistakes made within my office," Flowers blamed some of the problems on administrative failures by a now-retired fiscal officer, and denied any misuse of funds.

But he also acknowledged owing the state $151.34 for hotel and food "overages" after a three-year spending review, and said he would repay the state for portions of lodging and dining expenses incurred during a conference in Alaska, and lodging, dining and car rental payments by taxpayers during an extra day spent at a conference last year in Seattle.

The reimbursements, Flower indicated, are intended to "avoid any future confusion" after reports suggesting that some of taxpayer funds for the trip went to unofficial activities. Copies of supporting documents were to be released Wednesday afternoon.

Senate Minority Leader Gregory F. Lavelle, R-Sharpley, said that it's too soon to say if Flowers has answered all questions, adding: "When all else fails, blame it on politics."

"I'm sure that he would like to put it behind everyone," Lavelle said. "But we haven't seen the documents yet. I would like to have the Division of Accounting and the Administration review them."

"I don't think anyone has asked him to do anything other than abide by state policies," Lavelle said, "which he's either had a difficult time doing or a difficult time documenting, or both."

Flowers did not elaborate on the sources of the misperceptions or "inaccurate information," but described it as an "unwarranted distraction for Delaware and its treasury."

The latest controversy began over expenses charged during a National Association of State Treasurers meeting in Alaska attended by Flowers and deputy treasurer Erika Benner, and was furthered when documents that might confirm no charges were put on the taxpayer's tab for private expenses were missing.

Flowers has maintained that no taxpayer money was spent on personal expenses.

His office and personal actions have been under intensifying public scrutiny for months, as questions about use of credit cards by those in his office cascaded into probes of a deputy treasurer's spending, his own travel and use of public funds and a recent admission that agency records are in disarray or missing entirely.

Reports in The News Journal detailing charges on state credit cards for Treasurer's Office activities led to the forced resignation of Benner in August.

Benner has repaid the state $6,051 for charges over a two year period, including more than $1,000 spent on tickets for a New England Patriots game and related car service.

More recently, Flowers' own spending was questioned after he failed to provide records requested under the Freedom of Information Act on outlays that included travel expenses during a trip to Alaska in 2012 and Vermont in 2011.

Flowers has defended his spending for the National Association of State Treasurers conference in September 2012 and expenses for five additional nights after the meeting, including three funded by taxpayers. He released an unitemized check for $2,925.27 late last month from the association, saying that proved that the group paid for the trip.

Earlier this month he said he was working with the Attorney General's Office to investigate the missing records and other problems blamed on a former employee. Although Flowers said that a criminal investigation could result, the state Department of Justice denied any administrative or criminal review.

The Division of Accounting opened its own review of Treasurer's Office charges several months ago, but as of earlier this month reported that it had not yet received a final accounting of contested charges. and misuse of credit cards.

After Benner repaid the state, Flowers said he would not attempt to document the expenses or prove that they involved state-related activities.

State Republicans recently called for an immediate investigation, with the party's top House and Senate caucus leaders describing the Treasurer's Office as "out of control," citing "ongoing allegations, confusion and inability to consistently document the use of taxpayer funds for travel."

Flowers has defended his spending for the National Association of State Treasurers conference in September 2012 and expenses for five additional nights after the meeting, including three funded by taxpayers. He released an unitemized check for $2,925.27 late last month from the association, saying that proved that the group paid for the trip.

Earlier this month he said he was working with the Attorney General's Office to investigate the missing records and other problems blamed on a former employee. Although Flowers said that a criminal investigation could result, the state Department of Justice denied any administrative or criminal review.

The Division of Accounting opened its own review of Treasurer's Office charges several months ago, but as of earlier this month reported that it had not yet received a final accounting of contested charges. and misuse of credit cards.

After Benner repaid the state, Flowers said he would not attempt to document the expenses or prove that they involved state-related activities.

State Republicans recently called for an immediate investigation, with the party's top House and Senate caucus leaders describing the Treasurer's Office as "out of control," citing "ongoing allegations, confusion and inability to consistently document the use of taxpayer funds for travel."

Read full coverage on delawareonline.com later today and in The News Journal tomorrow.