December 02, 2009 07:34 PM UTC

"White House Party Crashers" Allegedly Stiffed Aspen Charity

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• by: Colorado Pols

You were hoping for a local angle on Balloon Dad’s replacement atop the national gossip sheets–okay, maybe you weren’t, but nevertheless the Aspen Times reports:

New Castle rancher Barry Stout can now say he has something in common with President Obama, and it has nothing to do with the war in Afghanistan or the health care debate.

Like Obama, it’s doubtful Stout will be inviting Michaele and Tareq Salahi over for dinner any time soon. Not after the couple, who’ve earned the dubious distinction as the “White House party crashers,” allegedly stiffed Stout to the tune of $19,500 for their entry into last year’s World Snow Polo Championship, held Dec. 20-21, 2008, in Aspen.

“They kind of put me in the starve mode,” said Stout, who runs the Roaring Fork Polo Club, which played host to the event. The event returns to Aspen’s Wagner Park Dec. 17-20…

Stout said the couple put down a $3,000 deposit that went toward the tournament’s $22,500 entry fee. He said he allowed the Salahis’ Team Land Rover to participate in the event because he needed a fourth team.

Tareq Salahi was a member of Team Land Rover, while his wife helped organize the team. The couple apparently made the most of their Aspen visit, receiving a complimentary stay at The St. Regis Resort Aspen, rubbing elbows with the likes of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and posing for party pictures all over town… [Pols emphasis]

Stout said he has given up on collecting the debt.

“I realize that just from the way they were doing business that it would be a waste of time to sue them,” he said. “I’m sure we could get a judgment, but then we’d have to try and collect the money.”

Stout said he was not surprised when the Salahi couple’s White House appearance made headlines last week.

“They are publicity seekers, and it doesn’t surprise me a bit,” he said. “I hope they prosecute them.”