Michelle's weekend getaway to Aspen cost taxpayers $83,000

Published: 5:14 PM 07/18/2012
By Stephanie Wang

Daily Caller:

A February 2012 ski trip enjoyed by first lady Michelle Obama and her two daughters cost taxpayers at least $83,000, according to records obtained by Judicial Watch.

The total cost of the President’s Day weekend getaway was at least $83,182.99. The largest expense was $48,950.38 for Secret Service protection, which included accommodations at the Fasching Haus deluxe condominium and the Inn at Aspen.

The cost of transportation was also hefty. Using official Department of Defense hourly rates, Judicial Watch estimated that the flights cost $22,583.70. This didn’t include in-flight purchases costing $235.44. The cost of rental cars was $6,442.23.

Judicial Watch received the records after filing a May 31 lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force and Secret Service.

“No wonder we had to file a lawsuit in federal court and wait six months to get basic information on Michelle Obama’s luxury Aspen vacation,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “The costs of the Obama family ski weekend are staggering. These high-priced luxury vacations, and the lack of transparency about them, are beginning to seem like an abuse of office.”

Few details were released about the vacation, but FoxNews.com pointed out that it was the 16th vacation in three years for the Obama family.

While the cost of the trip was high, it hardly compares to some of the other trips the Obamas have taken, including a vacation to Spain that cost $467,585 and a trip to Africa costing $424,142.