A highly critical state report released Tuesday night finds Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Frank Peterman ran up $25,000 in questionable travel and should reimburse taxpayers for those expenses.

On Jan. 28, Peterman reimbursed his agency, the Department of Juvenile Justice, $26,811 with two checks drawn from an account at Achieva Credit Union in Largo. | See a PDF copy of the checks

The report by Gov. Charlie Crist's chief inspector general, Melinda Miguel, concludes Peterman's frequent flights between Tallahassee and Tampa were not adequately documented. She concluded that the lack of paperwork and corroborating testimony "does not support his statement" that the travel was necessary.

Read the Inspector General's report

Previous coverage:

Times editorial:

Florida juvenile justice leader racks up flight expenses (Nov. 18, 2009)

Photo: Scott Keeler | Times, 2008