NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., July 30 (UPI) -- A Newport Beach, Calif., official says President Obama's campaign has yet to pay the $35,000 cost of protecting him while in town for a fundraiser.
The Democratic incumbent and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney each held campaign events in Newport Beach this year. The Romney campaign paid its bill for increased city law enforcement costs last week, about a month after the city sent an invoice. The $35,000 bill for the president's visit, sent in May, has not been paid, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.
City spokeswoman Tara Finnigan said the city's billing system would send a past-due notice.
Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff said his city was "honored" to have the president in town, but viewed the fundraisers as private events.
"Had this been a business trip, if the president came to Newport Beach to talk about one of his policies with our residents, the city would not have sent an invoice," he said, adding that Romney's bill was about a third of Obama's, due to fewer street closures for the Romney campaign and additional security requirements for the president.
