Associated Press - November 9, 2009 1:44 PM ET
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - E-mails indicate Gov. Chet Culver's office took a close interest in the state's film promotion efforts long before questions about spending and bookkeeping prompted him to freeze the program.
The 224 e-mails between the Department of Economic Development and governor's office from mid-2007 to fall 2009 show the governor's office was kept fully abreast of the Iowa Film Office's efforts to lure moviemakers to the state by offering them big tax breaks. The Associated Press requested the communication through the state's open records law.
The governor's oversight of the film office has become an issue since allegations surfaced of inappropriate tax credits and sloppy bookkeeping.
Despite the numerous e-mails, Culver spokesman Troy Price said the communications didn't deal with film office details.
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