Boston mayor Michelle Wu blows hundreds of thousands of dollars preparing for congressional hearing
By EMMA RICHTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Published: 10:44 EST, 5 March 2025 | Updated: 10:58 EST, 5 March 2025
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Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has blown up to $650,000 in city funds in preparation for Wednesday's congressional hearing, according to an explosive new report.
The Democrat, 40, is reportedly bringing a dozen staff members with her to the hearing on sanctuary cities, which will cost taxpayers an additional $8,500.
The progressive mayor has also hired a legal 'team' - the Washington D.C. law firm Cahill Gordon & Reindel - which charges $950 an hour, according to the Boston Herald.
The total amount of taxpayer money Wu has splashed to prepare for her day in front of Congress has surpassed half a million dollars - as locals, who are footing the bill, called her ridiculous spending a 'scam.'
Wu showed up to the Sanctuary City House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday with a religious ash cross on her forehead - and she was accompanied by her one-month-old baby.
The Mayor's office told the Boston Herald: 'The prep sessions included staff from the Mayor’s Office, Law Department, Boston Police and other senior advisors and leaders from the Cabinet, as well as an external law firm.'
'The City retained Cahill for a rate of $950/hour and expects to pay the firm up to $650,000 for legal work related to the March 5 hearing, committee investigation, and production of related documents.'
Initially, her office said that the legal prep bill was one expense, but in an update, Wu's team said: 'Approximately 12 staff members are traveling with the Mayor to DC, and the estimated cost is around $8,500.'
Josh Kraft, Wu's mayoral opponent, said he appreciated her going to D.C. to support their city, but slammed her for the absurd amount of money she's spending on the hearing alone.
'Mayor Wu said she’s going to DC to defend the city, and I support this. My question is: do we need to spend $650,000 of taxpayer funds on a show trial hearing?' Kraft, 57, said on Tuesday in a post on X.
Her outrageous spending has similarly caused anger among Boston locals.
One person wrote online: 'Why does it cost that much to fly to DC, answer some questions, and fly home? Why are we paying this kind of money to simply go to DC and answer questions honestly?'
Another added: '$650k for legal fees? Dinner? Where the hell does she pull the $650k from?'
And a third said: 'It should come out of her pocket personally. We’re already paying for all of her illegals. Now we have to pay for her violating federal law too.' Another chimed in: 'She’s not paying for anything. The taxpayers of Boston are though.'
Others questioned if the insane price would benefit her in front of Congress.
One person said: 'Imagine us paying 650,000 to be embarrassed in front of the entire country.' A second added: 'It’s not like she can go and tell the truth or something. Why miss the opportunity to misuse the citizens money once again.'
Another person simply put: 'What a absolute scam.'
The law firm Wu chose told the outlet they were hired as 'outside counsel.' Edward O'Callaghen, a lead attorney at the firm's D.C. office will be seated behind Wu during the hearing which starts at 10am in the U.S. Capitol building.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14464577/boston-mayor-michelle-wu-blows-money-congressional-hearing.html