Report: Mnuchin broke no laws

But Treasury secretary did not provide proof to justify expense

WASHINGTON — A report by the Treasury Department’s inspector general Thursday said that Secretary Steven Mnuchin did not violate any law in the seven trips he has taken on government airplanes but did fail to provide enough proof of why he needed to use the more expensive modes of travel.

The report prepared by Rich Delmar, counsel to the Treasury inspector general, said that in many cases Mnuchin’s office relied on “a single boilerplate statement” to justify the use of military aircraft rather than the more complete “facts and arguments” that are required.

Mnuchin’s office said it would incorporate “enhancements” called for by the report in future travel requests. Mnuchin’s requests included one, later withdrawn, for a government plane for use on his European honeymoon. The IG report on Mnuchin’s travels was the latest chapter in a controversy over expensive plane flights taken by top Trump administration officials which has already cost one Cabinet secretary his job. Health and Human Servivces Secretary Tom Price resigned last week after questions were raised about his use of private jets for multiple government trips.

The Treasury report said Mnuchin’s staff had made nine requests for the use of government aircraft since Mnuchin became Treasury secretary this year, including a request for a government plane this summer for Mnuchin’s honeymoon travels to Britain, France and Italy.

That request was later withdrawn. Mnuchin has said that request was made because of the need to have access to secure communication lines and was withdrawn after alternative ways to provide the secure lines were obtained.

One plane request, for a trip in October to the Middle East, has not taken place yet.