WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- Stung by an audit report this week that highlighted `` $ 16 muffins '' at a conference at the Capital Hilton in Washington , the hotel chain is fighting back , insisting the pricey pastries were not that expensive . Hilton Worldwide responded to the much-publicized cost of the muffins , disputing the $ 16 per muffin charge cited by the Justice Inspector General in an audit of costs incurred at Justice Department conferences in 2008 and 2009 . `` The contracted breakfast included fresh fruit , coffee , juice , and muffins , plus tax and gratuity for an inclusive price of $ 16 per person , '' Hilton Worldwide said in a statement from corporate headquarters in McLean , Virginia . The Office of Inspector General said it stands by its report , noting investigators examined receipts submitted for the reception . But Hilton says `` dining receipts are often abbreviated and do not reflect the full pre-contracted menu and service provided , as is the case with recent media reports of breakfast items approved for some government meetings . '' `` We made several attempts to reach the Capital Hilton during the course of the audit , and they were not responsive to our numerous requests , '' Jay Lerner , the spokesman for the Justice Office of Inspector General , told CNN late Friday . The report by the Inspector General noted the training conference for the Executive Office for Immigration Review held in August 2009 served 534 people . The conference attendees averaged a daily cost of $ 14.74 for refreshments over the five day meeting just above the $ 14.72 limit set by the Justice Department . The Inspector General agreed the reception provided the free items Hilton says were included . But the tussle in a teapot centers on the receipt for $ 4,200 for 250 muffins and $ 2,880 for 300 cookies and brownies . `` By itemizing these costs , we determined that with service and gratuity muffins cost over $ 16 each and cookies and brownies cost almost $ 10 each , '' the Inspector General report said . But Hilton says that simply does n't provide the full picture . `` Hotel teams tailor these events to provide maximum value and ensure the best experience possible , '' Hilton said . The Inspector General 's report indicates the Hilton `` provided meeting space without charge . '' But the Inspector General office told CNN it does not know whether the food and beverage cost at that conference was in any way impacted by the `` free '' rental space . The story of pricey muffins struck a nerve because of a widely-held view that government officials spend taxpayer funds too freely . And it follows a report in 2007 by a previous Justice Inspector General which highlighted `` $ 5 meatballs '' at one legal conference . That led to tighter Justice Department rules to curtail excessive conference costs . CNN 's Jim Barnett contributed to this report .
Food Worldwide says they were part of $ 16 breakfast . Inspector General say it itemized the food at conference . But it does not know whether the food was in ` ` free '' ' space .