EPA big’s travel tab even higher

WASHINGTON — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt spent more than $120,000 in taxpayer funds last summer for a trip to Italy that included a meeting of G-7 ministers and a private tour of the Vatican.

The known cost of Pruitt’s previously reported trip grew this week after the agency disclosed a highly redacted document showing expenses for Pruitt’s security detail cost more than $30,500. That’s on top of nearly $90,000 spent for food, hotels, commercial airfare and a military jet used by Pruitt and his staff.

Pruitt has defended his frequent travel, the full cost of which hasn’t been publicly revealed. That includes sitting in first class, which he described as a security precaution. LET’S HOPE President Trump’s housing honcho likes sour Candy.

Ben Carson blamed wife Candy Carson for picking out a controversial $31,000 dining set for his government office — a purchase that has landed the Housing and Urban Development chief in the hot seat.

Carson told a congressional panel Tuesday he didn’t know the price tag on the table, chairs and hutch. He said he canceled the order when he found out the cost. By that time, though, the pricey purchase was a mini scandal.

“I left it with my wife to help choose something,” he told the panel.