OAKLAND, Calif. -- The President of the Port of Oakland’s Board of Commissioners has spent tens of thousands of dollars of the public’s money on luxury travel around the nation and the world, raising eyebrows and critical questions by people worried about the port’s worsening financial condition.

Darlene Ayers-Johnson has spent more than six times as much as the next most travelled commissioner who has served as long as she has – eight years – KTVU Channel 2 News has learned using the California Public Records Act and examining hundreds of internal port documents.

Along with first-class airfares, luxury hotels, limousines and expensive meals, the documents also reveal Ayers-Johnson has a long series of questionable expenses such as football caps that cost more than $4,000, Broadway show tickets for her husband and staying at luxury hotels here in the Bay Area although she lives in Oakland.

Ayers-Johnson consistently refuted the accuracy of the port’s documents, which include many of her own credit card bills, signed statements and receipts with her name on them.

“I have nothing to apologize for,” she declared in a brief interview she terminated by abruptly leaving the room.

“Those aren’t expenses that are public purposes,” countered Oakland resident Ralph Kanz, a former chairman of the city’s ethics commission. “Those are personal purposes and should be paid out of your personal account.”

In all, the documents show Ayers-Johnson spent more than $133,000 on travel, entertainment and meals in her eight years as port commissioner. The next biggest spender was Commissioner Patricia Scates, who has spent about $22,000 of the public’s money in her eight years as commissioner.

The Port of Oakland is facing a budget year projected to see about a third of its income disappear, as expenses accelerate by 8 percent. Earlier this summer, port executives eliminated 100 jobs and have warned further cutbacks may take place.

The three other major West Coast ports competing for business against Oakland have seen steady business while Oakland has cut back.

The Port of Oakland contributes a whopping $7 billion a year to the Bay Area economy, prompting business and labor leaders to often credit the operation with being key to the region’s participation in the global economy.

Ayer’s-Johnson’s term expires this year and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums is expected to either reappoint her or another person to take her place. If he does not act, the Oakland City Council may.