EPA big axed workers who saw troubles

ABOUT A half-dozen top Environmental Protection Agency officials were canned or sidelined in the past year after they drew attention to mismanagement and profligate spending by agency head Scott Pruitt, according to reports.

High-ranking employees of the federal environmental watchdog agency have been busted down or fired for expressing concern about high-dollar office furniture purchases, round-the-clock security and first-class travel, The New York Times reported.

Samantha Dravis, the associate administrator of the EPA’s office of policy and ex-girlfriend of fired White House aide Rob Porter, abruptly resigned last week, according to reports on Thursday.

Her sudden departure comes as Pruitt faces a slew of possible ethics violations, including the $50-pernight rental of a condo owned by the wife of a lobbyist, extravagant flight, travel and security costs and large raises awarded to two top aides.

Politico first reported that Dravis submitted her resignation in order to work in the private sector, and The Washington Post reported she was not leaving the agency because of ethical concerns.

Another official, political appointee Kevin Chmielewski, was placed on administrative leave without pay, sources told the Times, after snitching on Pruitt to the White House. Four other EPA employees were transferred after raising spending concerns, The Times reported.