Healey’s spent thousands on high-end hotels with taxpayer-funded credit cards

Gov. Maura Healey’s office stayed at four and five-star hotels across the world multiple times last fiscal year, racking up thousands on taxpayer-funded credit cards for swanky digs, according to data provided to the Herald through a public records request.

The first-term Democrat has consistently jetted across the country, and several times the Atlantic, using public funds during her first two years in office. Procurement card data maintained by the Office of the Comptroller shows Healey’s office tends to stay at high-end hotels during those trips.

Multiple expenditures in fiscal year 2024 confirm the governor or her staff stayed in four-star accommodations and in one instance, booked rooms at a historic five-star hotel in Quebec City with a commanding view of the Saint Lawrence River.

Jillian Fennimore, Healey’s director of communications, said many of the trips the governor or her staff took have offered opportunities to build political or economic ties with other elected officials or business communities.

In the case of the trip to Canada, Healey’s office charged just under $2,500 in September 2023 to a procurement card for lodging at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, a luxury hotel that bills itself as a “heritage urban resort” that tops the list of Quebec City hotels.

“From the European-style charm of our guest rooms to restorative treatments in the spa, our landmark luxury hotel promises an unforgettable stay,” the hotel’s website said.

Fennimore said Healey traveled to Quebec City for a press conference as part of the 44th annual New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Conference. Healey was the 2023 co-chair of the conference.

It was the first time in five years that the conference met in-person and Healey stayed at the Le Chateau Frontenac with Chief of Staff Kate Cook and an executive assistant because that was where “the conference was held,” Fennimore said.

“Next month, Gov. Healey will host the 45th annual NEG-ECP Conference in Massachusetts. “The conference will focus on energy and the clean energy transition and will present an opportunity to discuss goals and seek alignment on the offshore wind supply chain and hard-to-decarbonize sectors,” Fennimore said.