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All are under RCMP investigation for their expense claims. None have been charged with any crime.

The spending scrutiny of those four has been extended to others in the chamber.

During the last 12 months, hospitality spending, which includes meals and handouts such as Senate pins, dropped by almost 42 per cent compared to the previous 12-month period. The amount senators spent on hospitality over the last 12 months totalled almost $89,000 compared to the $152,675 spent in the previous period, a difference of almost $64,000.

A similar drop is found in the amount senators claimed in travelling around the country on what is deemed to be ”Senate business.” This “other” travel category — which excludes “regular” travel between Ottawa and the province a senator represents — saw spending decline to about $859,000 in 2013 from the $1.46 million logged in 2012, a drop of about $606,000, or a decrease of about 41 per cent.

Spending on “regular” travel declined to $3.65 million from $4.14 million, a difference of about $488,000, or a decrease of almost 12 per cent.

Housing and meal claims declined to $1.38 million from $1.5 million, a difference of about $126,500 or a decrease of about 8.4 per cent.

Only office spending went up during the period under review: Spending there rose to $12.66 million from $11.69 million, an increase of about $966,000 or 8.26 per cent.

The reports reviewed in the Postmedia News analysis begin with the December 2011 to February 2012 quarter, and end with the most recently posted quarter of September to November 2013. The analysis included all senators who posted expense reports for the most recent quarter, including four senators who resigned or retired: former Liberals Harb and Rod Zimmer, and former Conservatives David Braley and Gerald Comeau.

Sen. Scott Tannas was not in the Senate during the entire time under review. The Albertan joined the Senate in March 2013.

The quarterly expense reports provide an overview of spending by specific categories, but don’t provide a detailed breakdown, such as how much of the travel costs were spent on seat upgrades, or the precise amount of travel within 100 kilometres from their declared primary residence, which is logged under office expenses.