Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, trips paid by group called illegal

A Washington, D.C., watchdog group says Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, might have violated tax laws in connection with two trips to New Zealand and Japan that cost more the $23,000.

The trips were paid for by the International Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, a tax-exempt private foundation set up to oppose environmental and animal rights groups.

As a private foundation, it is not allowed to pay for international travel for government officials unless it pays taxes on that travel, according to the Center for Public Integrity, which made the charge late Tuesday. Neither the foundation nor Pombo paid the taxes, the center said.

"If they don't do that, and Chairman Pombo accepts about $23,000 worth of travel, he should be required to reimburse money for those trips," said Bob Williams, a project director at the center.