Jimmy Jenkins/KJZZ

President Donald Trump at the podium for the Mesa rally on Oct. 19, 2018.

The nonprofit Center For Public Integrity reported this week that Donald Trump’s presidential campaign still owes U.S. cities at least $841,219. 

That includes unpaid bills for public safety in Mesa and Tucson. 

Trump’s campaign owes Tucson $81,837 for an event almost three years ago and, despite letters demanding payment, declined to reimburse the city for the 180 police officers assigned to the event. 

“The city attorney here in the city of Tucson determining pursuing recovery through legal action would probably consume more tax-funded resources than they were likely to recover,” Mandle said.  

Mandle said the Bernie Sanders campaign also owes the city $44,013 for a 2016 campaign event.

“Going forward, the city of Tucson will look to change the language in its facility use agreements so that we’re sure to make sure that taxpayers are not left on the hook for charges incurred by the different campaigns that come to town,” Mandle said. 

Last year, the president visited Mesa for a campaign event and still owes that city’s Police Department $64,467.

A Mesa spokesperson referred KJZZ to previous statements. 

“It is our hope that the organization will do right by the taxpayers of Mesa and provide payment in a timely manner,” Mesa Deputy City Manager Scott Butler told the Center for Public Integrity.

Recent campaign rallies have drawn protesters and counter-protesters, which can demand a higher police presence.

KJZZ emailed both the Trump and Sanders 2020 campaigns asking about these charges.

Dave Levinthal is federal politics editor and senior reporter with the Center for Public Integrity. He joined The Show to talk about it.