Hunting trips, golf outings, tickets to Washington Redskins football games and expensive dinners were given to legislators last year by organizations interested in legislation before the General Assembly.

Del. Robert Tata, R-Virginia Beach, won a raffle to the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga., valued at $3,159. The raffle was sponsored by Christopher Newport University but underwritten by seven payday lending companies, which are opposing legislation to put a cap on interest rates charged by the companies.

Tata said yesterday he did not know the payday lenders paid for the raffle until he came home.

Sens. Kenneth W. Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, and Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City, two of the most powerful senators, went on deer hunts in Texas paid for by the Virginia Sheriffs Association, The Associated Press reported.

Stolle went twice, valuing one trip at $5,512 and the second at $3,141. Norment valued his trip at $5,512. Norment also received a jacket from the sheriffs valued at $283. Neither reported where they went.

Under Virginia law, the gifts are legal so long as they are disclosed by the legislators on Statements of Economic Interest that must be filed with the clerks of the Senate and the House of Delegates.

Dominion Resources, Altria and Verizon were among the most generous gift-givers. Dominion took a number of legislators to a Washington Redskins game. It also took a number to dinner at The Jefferson Hotel's Lemaire restaurant. Altria, the parent of Philip Morris, preferred Ruth's Chris Steak House.

Gifts of $50 or more must be reported. The legislators must sign a statement on the forms affirming that what they report is accurate.

"I understand that if a determination is made that the statement is insufficient, I will satisfy such requests or be subjected to disciplinary action of my house," the statement says.

Committees within the legislature are charged with reviewing the reports. There is no record that anyone has been disciplined.

Economic statements filed later in the year by lobbyists don't always match what the lawmakers report.

Some legislators give detailed reports.

Del. Phillip A. Hamilton, R-Newport News, for example, listed every gift he received, including a cookie with a horseshoe decoration donated by the Virginia Racing Commission. The cost was valued at $3. Hamilton also reported three tickets to a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game, valued at $81, and given by pharmaceutical company Wyeth.

Del. G. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, reported the gift of a $1 toothbrush, courtesy of the Lackey Free Family Medicine Clinic.

State Sen. W. Roscoe Reynolds, D-Henry, attached his federal income tax forms and a deed of trust to property he owns in Henry County.

But other legislators gave only the vaguest information, such as listing dinners, but not saying where they were. Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, listed a ticket and food valued at $425 from Sprint, not saying what the ticket was to.

Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, who is running for governor, received some criticism last year for providing beer at the annual Shad Planking, the political gathering held every April in Sussex County.

The beer, costing $262.50, was paid for by the Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association.

The disclosure forms show that Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia gave several legislators tickets to football games.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.