On April 23, 2012, it was reported that during a 2011 conference on immunization of poor children Oda had refused to stay in the conference hotel (the
Grange St. Paul) furnished by hosts.
[20] She instead stayed at the
Savoy Hotel at a cost of $665 per night for three nights, ordered orange juice at a cost of $16 and hired a limousine to transport her between her new hotel and the conference. She was also charged $250 for smoking in a non-smoking room.
[21] The costs incurred were at public expense.
[20] Only after widespread media reports of this misuse of public money emerged approximately ten months after the conference did Oda repay the difference in hotel costs but not the limousine costs incurred by her decision.
[22] The total amount she paid back after she was exposed by the media was $1,353.81.
[23] By April 26, it was announced that Oda had repaid the expenses incurred on the taxi rides as well.
[24]
