Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is the new chairman of the Republican organization that has given her thousands of dollars in free trips over the last four years.



The Republican Attorneys General Association announced Monday that Bondi was elected its chairman for 2014-15 during a meeting held over the weekend in Miami Beach.



Bondi in the last four years has accepted more than $51,000 worth of meals, hotels and free trips. Many of the trips were paid by the GOP organization, which receives money to pay trips from corporate sponsors.



The trips have come under scrutiny because lawyers representing clients under investigation by state attorneys general use the conferences to socialize with elected officials.



Bondi has defended the trips as well as her friendship with some of the corporate lawyers.