Saudi Arabia spent $270K in payments at Donald Trump's Washington hotel as part of its lobbying campaign against terrorism legislation handled by Qorvis/MSLGroup.

On behalf of the effort against the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which allows Americans to sue foreign governments for terrorist activities, the DC-based PR firm reached out to influencers (media, think tanks and former US officials), managed a grassroots campaign and coordinated veterans' visits to Capitol Hill.

Trump Washington, D.C. Hotel

In its May 31 Justice Dept. filing, Qorvis disclosed payments to the Trump International Hotel, which is near the White House, for lodging ($190,272), catering ($78,204) and parking ($1,568).

Michael Petruzzello, Qorvis CEO, told today's Wall Street Journal, the outlays made to the Trump hotel were made by subcontractors and reimbursed by the Kingdom. The spending occurred from Nov. 2016 to Nov. 2017.

Ethics officials have raised questions about payments by foreign governments to the Trump Organization, which is still owned by the president but managed by his sons.

Watchdog groups say such payments risk "violating a constitutional provision that bars federal officers from accepting payments or gifts from foreign countries without Congress’s consent," according to the WSJ.

Saudi Arabia was Trump's first stop during last month's international tour of the Mideast and Europe.

That country paid Qorvis $6.2M in fees/expenses for the six-month period ended March 31.