I don't know if the "law was broken." Legislators have created an entitlement system for themselves to pad their salaries by claiming "reimbursement" at the federal- not state- per diem rate for lodging and expenses.

But when you are cutting dividends, education, the University, Alaska State Troopers, senior services, and other essential services, you shouldn't be asking the state treasury to underwrite your vacation to Germany.

Does anyone know of any private sector company in Alaska or elsewhere that pays its employees thousands of dollars in excess of actual lodging and meal expenses?

It's an outrageous example of abuse of the "wink-and-nod" salary padding system legislators have created for themselves.  It's wrong.  It's immoral.  

And it must end.