Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce changed his explanation Monday about how he acquired expensive tickets to a sold-out Navy football game in 2007 after the service academy contradicted statements he made last week to The Arizona Republic.

In a written response May 11 explaining numerous gifts he received from the Fiesta Bowl, Pearce said he did not have to reimburse the bowl for $2,140 spent in 2007 on Navy tickets for him because he had traveled to Annapolis, Md., to present a charitable donation on the bowl's behalf.