Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price did pay nearly $52,000 to the government to reimburse part of his private jet travel before he left his position in the Trump administration.
“HHS official tells me Tom Price did write personal check 2 Treasury prior 2 stepping down & processing of payment by HHS has been completed,” ABC News reporter Katherine Faulders said in a tweet Thursday.
Price promised to reimburse the government for his seats on privately chartered flights before he resigned Sept. 29. He delivered the $51,887.31 check to the Department of the Treasury before leaving his post, covering the cost of his travel on private planes, but no that of his staff. Price is worth around $14 million, CNN estimates.
Price’s private travel cost taxpayers an estimated $400,000 total, not including the cost of military flights Price used, according to Politico.
Maryland Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings sent a letter to the Treasury Thursday morning requesting a copy of a check or other payment as proof Price followed through on his promise.
Price lamented the distraction caused by his use of private planes especially as Congress continues its effort to repeal and replace Obamacare and the administration struggles to deal with the opioid addiction crisis.
“I regret that the recent events have created a distraction from these important objectives,” Price wrote announcing his resignation. “Success on these issues is more important than any one person. In order for you to move forward without further disruption, I am officially tendering my resignation,” Price wrote.
Follow Thomas Phippen on Twitter
Send tips to thomas@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.