re: Your La tax dollars at work in Vegas

$7500 average for flights for 15 guys
$4800 for 3 night stay (8 rooms required at $200 average)
$2250 for food (assuming 3 days per-diem at $50 per person)
$4500 for registration (assuming $300 per person)

That's a total of $19,050. This is what I would expect assuming a 3 night stay. Going $14k over that when you're constantly complaining that you're strapped for cash isn't anywhere near the worst thing you'll see from a government agency but it doesn't make it right.