Okatie, SC — Rudy Giuliani brushed off reporter questions today about a controversial news report detailing potential financial misconduct during his time as New York City mayor, simply telling reporters “we’ve already explained it.”

Hours before Wednesday’s GOP debate, the Politico newspaper reported that “obscure” city offices were billed for NYPD security costs related to Giuliani’s trips to the Hamptons in the summer of 2001, where he was then conducting an extra-marital affair. (See more here and here.)

One day after conducting several interviews about the subject, where Giuliani called the story a “political hit job” given the debate timing and his conduct in office “perfectly appropriate,” he refused to respond to multiple questions as his usually accommodating campaign staff aggressively attempted to prevent access to him as he exited a South Carolina town hall meeting.

While Giuliani does not usually hold a formal q and a period after town halls, the media traditionally are allowed to film him shaking hands with voters following his events and he will sometimes answer reporter questions. But today, campaign staff repeatedly told reporters to keep away from Giuliani–sometimes physically getting in the way of journalists attempting to film or shout questions at the GOP candidate.

Regardless of the fact that Giuliani took a pass today, the campaign says they are confident with their defense of Giuliani’s conduct and made staff available to the media for comment hours after the story was released Wednesday. They maintain:

1. There was no fiscal mismanagement or impropriety.
2. The NYPD reimbursed city offices for any initial costs.
3. Given that he already received 24/7 NYPD security as mayor, there was no need to hide security costs despite the nature of his visits.

The bottom line of course is that they don’t want to keep the negative story alive by having him comment further, but given media interest, it is inevitable that Giuliani will continue to get questions about the matter. Giuliani heads to New Hampshire tonight where he will conduct a weekend swing through the Granite State.