Probes of perks, spending by EPA leader broaden
WASHINGTON — Scott Pruitt is facing new and expanded ethics investigations for his handling of taxpayer dollars and possible perks he has gotten as head of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Staff for the Republican-led House Oversight committee confirmed Monday that it has expanded its review of Pruitt’s travel spending to now include ethical questions surrounding his bargain $50-anight rental of a Capitol Hill condo tied to a fossil fuels lobbyist.
The Office of Government Ethics also has issued a letter to the EPA demanding documents related to the condo rental. And it reports that at least five agency officials faced retaliation after questioning Pruitt’s outsize spending for travel, unprecedented security precautions and pricey office furniture.
In a letter dated Friday, Acting Government Ethics Director David Apol called media reports of Pruitt’s actions “extremely concerning.”
“The success of our government depends on maintaining the trust of the people we serve,” Apol wrote. “The American public needs to have confidence that ethics violations, as well as the appearance of ethics violations, are investigated and properly addressed.”
President Trump defended Pruitt in a tweet Saturday night, saying the EPA chief is “doing a great job” and downplaying the ethical questions. He called Pruitt’s security spending “somewhat more” than Pruitt’s predecessor and said Pruitt had received death threats “because of his bold actions at EPA.”
EPA Inspector General Arthur Elkins is now conducting at least five investigative audits related to Pruitt.