Education Commissioner Dwight Jones draws fire for spending amid Colo. budget crisis

Education Commissioner Dwight Jones reimbursed the state for 2 1/2 years of personal calls made on his state cellphone following media inquiries into his expenses, a Denver Post review of records shows.

The $940 payback — nearly half of the total $2,227 billed to Jones' cellphone since he took the job — followed reports about pricey meals and new office furniture billed to Jones' expense account despite severe state budget cuts.

The 103 Department of Education employees who use a state phone are required to reimburse the state each month for anything beyond the occasional, short personal call.

"He knew about the policy, and he just hadn't done it," said department spokesman Mark Stevens. "It was an oversight."