IG: Pruitt spent $124,000 in 'excessive' travel

摘要

The EPA inspector general has rebuked the agency's handling of former Administrator Scott Pruitt's costly travel.In a report released today, the agency's internal watchdog estimated "excessive costs" of $123,942 for Pruittand his personal security detail's first- and business-class flights. Those flights were granted without "sufficientjustification and, initially, without appropriate approval authority," the IG said.Among the report's findings: Pruitt took 86 flights in first class, more than his 13 in business and 36 in coach.Airlines used by the former administrator included Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Emirates, JetBlue Airways,Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.The IG reviewed 40 trips, including six canceled ones, from March to the end of December 2017, which cost$985,037. Sixteen of those trips traveled to or had stops in Tulsa, Okla., the site of Pruitt's personal residence.The review of Pruitt's travel found "improper granting" of exceptions to fly first or business class, "improperapproval" of lodging costs above government per diem rates, and missing or incomplete paperwork forinternational trips and stops in Tulsa.