PITTSBURGH -- Mayor Luke Ravenstahl flew to New York for dinner and drinks at a Manhattan hotel after the Penguins closed on a deal for a new arena in Pittsburgh, according to WTAE Channel 4 Action News reporter Bob Mayo.

Ravenstahl is being grilled by reporters about the trip in a private jet owned by Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle.

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Raw Video: Ravenstahl Answers Questions About Private Jet Flight

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Ravenstahl allegedly told a reporter at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he did not go on the trip, but then admitted it when pressed.

"He asked me if I went on business to New York City with the Penguins, at which time I said no," said Ravenstahl. "Certainly, I wish I would have clarified and continued to answer the question from there."

Hours after Ravenstahl joined in announcing the $290 million arena deal that will keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh, he accepted the private jet trip.

Ravenstahl said his trip on Burkle's private Boeing 757 was to talk about politics, and they did not discuss the Penguins deal.

"We honestly didn't," said Ravenstahl. "It was not an official business trip. It was a trip for me and Mr. Burkle to talk politically. And that's what we did. And that's what will be documented."

Ravenstahl missed an 8:30 a.m. meeting with Hill District leaders about arena-related development because of the trip.

"I would argue that this has -- other than the meeting of the Hill District -- no real effect on how city business operates," said Ravenstahl. "Nor did the Heinz Field incident [a confrontation with a police officer in 2005]. These are incidents that involve me and not city business."

Ravenstahl said he doesn't believe the trip violates the city's ethics law ban on gifts of travel unless it's on official business.

"No city taxpayer dollars were used," said Ravenstahl. "It was not abuse of the office. And I stand behind the decision to go to New York. Now, had I wished I had presented it differently, I would have."

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WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Kevin Kinross, deputy director of Gov. Ed Rendell's southwest state office, was also on the jet with Ravenstahl and Burkle.

Kinross realized he made an error in judgment and will reimburse Burkle for the flight, Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo told the Trib.

Whether the incident was against the letter of the ethics code or not, it was "certainly against the spirit of this governor's administration," Ardo said.

Ravenstahl promised to document the cost of the trip on his campaign finance reports, and he said he'll reimburse Burkle if that's what his campaign team deems appropriate.

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Bob Mayo's Blog:
Ravenstahl Q&A On N.Y. Trip

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