Money Well Spent

Number of CIA operatives: 20

Length of stay: From 5 to 42 days

Total room charges: $158,096.56

Capturing and Torturing a Suspect Against Geneva Convention rules: Priceless

First to arrive in Milan was the surveillance team, and the hotels they chose were among the best Europe has to offer. Especially popular was the gilt-and-crystal Principe di Savoia, with acres of burnished wood paneling and plush carpets, where a single room costs $588 a night, a club sandwich goes for $28.75 and a Diet Coke adds another $9.35.

According to hotel records obtained by the Milan police investigating Abu Omar's disappearance, two CIA operatives managed to ring up more than $9,000 in room charges alone. The CIA's bill at the Principe for seven operatives came to $39,995, not counting meals, parking and other hotel services.

Another group of seven operatives spent $40,098 on room charges at the Westin Palace, a five-star hotel across the Piazza della Repubblica from the Principe, where a club sandwich is only $20.

In all, records show, the CIA paid 10 Milan hotels at least $158,000 in room charges.

Excerpts taken from the Chicago Tribune.