Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(56,888 posts)
Tue May 8, 2018, 01:29 PM May 2018

Here's the EPA memo that justified Scott Pruitt's first-class travel.

Retweeted by David Fahrenthold: https://twitter.com/Fahrenthold

NEW w/@eilperin: Here’s the EPA memo that justified Scott Pruitt’s first-class travel. http://wapo.st/2FU2MzD



Energy and Environment

Here’s the EPA memo that justified Scott Pruitt’s first-class travel

By Brady Dennis and Juliet Eilperin May 7 at 10:44 PM

brady.dennis@washpost.com; juliet.eilperin@washpost.com

This post has been updated.

The memo is just 87 words. ... But in that single paragraph, dated May 1, 2017, the head of Scott Pruitt’s personal security detail made the argument that would underpin dozens of taxpayer-funded, first-class flights for the Environmental Protection Agency administrator in the months that followed.

In the memo, obtained by The Washington Post under a public records request, Pasquale “Nino” Perrotta wrote that Pruitt was being recognized more often in public and that those guarding him had noticed “at times lashing out from passengers which occurs while the Administrator is seated in coach with [his personal security detail] not easily accessible to him due to uncontrolled full flights.” ... As a result, Perrotta wanted a way to better control the environment around the controversial EPA chief.
....

The travel memo is among the documents the agency has turned over recently at the request of House Oversight Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.). “We are working diligently with Chairman Gowdy and are in full cooperation in providing the Committee with the necessary documents, travel vouchers, receipts and witnesses to his inquiries,” the EPA spokesman said in a statement Monday.

The agency’s inspector general recently announced plans to open “new reviews” into ethics questions surrounding Pruitt, including his $50-a-night rental of a lobbyist’s Capitol Hill condo in 2017. Last month, the Government Accountability Office concluded that Pruitt’s installation of a $43,000 soundproof phone booth had violated federal spending laws.

Philip Bump contributed to this report.

Brady Dennis is a national reporter for The Washington Post, focusing on the environment and public health issues. He previously spent years covering the nation’s economy. Dennis was a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for a series of explanatory stories about the global financial crisis. Follow @brady_dennis

Juliet Eilperin is The Washington Post's senior national affairs correspondent, covering how the new administration is transforming a range of U.S. policies and the federal government itself. She is the author of two books — one on sharks and another on Congress, not to be confused with each other — and has worked for The Post since 1998. Follow @eilperin
3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Here's the EPA memo that justified Scott Pruitt's first-class travel. (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves May 2018 OP
How is his life "endangered" by sitting in coach? procon May 2018 #1
He sounds too delicate for his position. Glimmer of Hope May 2018 #2
Another option to avoid confrontation LoveMyCali May 2018 #3

procon

(15,805 posts)
1. How is his life "endangered" by sitting in coach?
Tue May 8, 2018, 01:55 PM
May 2018

I understand he doesn't want to be confronted as a consequences to his actions at the EPA, but if he acted fairly and justly (cough-cough) in making the air dirtier, he should be proud to be seen by the people who are impacted by his leadership.

Passengers aren't carrying guns and knives aboard, he's got his own security, so what's the worst that could happen? so, he gets yelled at or ridiculed, or someone pours a $7 bottle of clean water on his head, maybe a fellow passenger could jam the lock on the potty door while he's inside... so many possibilities!

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Here's the EPA memo that ...