House panel: Former US Pres Trump's bills to Secret Service 'exorbitant'

Donald Trump's private company arranged for the Secret Service to pay for rooms at his properties in excess of government-approved rates at least 40 times during his presidency, including two charges for more than USD 1,100 per night, according to documents released Monday by a congressional committee.

The Secret Service was charged room rates of more than USD 800 per night at least 11 times when agents stayed at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, the Trump hotel in Washington, D.C., and other properties, the Democratic-led House Oversight Committee said. It noted that Trump made over 500 trips to his properties while president.

The "exorbitant" rates point to a possible "taxpayer-funded windfall for former President Trump's struggling businesses," Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney of New York wrote in a letter Monday to the Secret Service requesting more information.

The Secret Service said it had received the letter and was reviewing it.

The Trump Organisation denied that the Secret Service ..