On Aug. 6, President Barack Obama was in Westport for a star-studded fundraiser/dinner at the Beachside Avenue home of movie producer Harvey Weinstein. The $35,800 per person event was reportedly co-hosted by actress Anne Hathaway. Actress Joanne Woodward, wife of the late actor Paul Newman, was one of several notable guests who reportedly attended.
Dozens of state police, FBI agents, Secret Service agents and officers from nearby police departments descended on Westport hours ahead of the 7:30 p.m. dinner. Sherwood Island State Park was closed all day to the public in order to be used as the landing and departure area for the presidential helicopters. Westport’s Burying Hill Beach, next to Weinstein’s mansion, was also closed for the day.
Obama’s visit cost Westport nearly $15,000 in overtime costs for police officers and firefighters, Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff announced the following day. Specifically, the police department incurred $12,460 in overtime costs, and the fire department, $2,352.
The town sought reimbursement from the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee but was denied.
Before attending the Westport event, Obama attended a $500-per-person fundraiser at the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa.
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