Arizona Legislature

David Gowan.

An attorney who first raised questions about the state-paid travel of Represenative David Gowan says a new inquiry needs to be broader than the speaker of the house has sought.

Gowan admits he had been improperly paid more than $12,000 in travel and other reimbursements. He paid back the amount, calling it an innocent error. But with allegations dogging his congressional bid, he wants Attorney General Mark Brnovich to take a look and, presumably, conclude no criminal laws were violated.

Attorney Tom Ryan said there's a more serious question at hand: Was Gowan using state resources and staffers to travel around the state in his run for the first congressional district?

Gowan press aide Stephanie Grisham said the trips were appropriate, since he is the speaker of the whole state. But Ryan said that explanation doesn't wash.

"He wasn't down in Nogales, he wasn't over in Yuma, he wasn't up in Parker. Every city he went to was all in CD 1," Ryan said. "So let's be clear. Technically, he was talking about and tweeting about and boasting about his congressional campaign."

For example, Gowan was driven to Flagstaff in a state vehicle last October with the stated purpose of meeting with local leaders. But Gowan later tweeted out a picture of himself sitting with voters and referencing his congressional run.

In #Flagstaff today listening to voters & talking about my vision to make DC accountable. #respectthewest #AZ01 pic.twitter.com/m09MWGQhF0

— David Gowan (@DavidGowanAZ) October 8, 2015