Joining two other administration officials, Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruit admitted to using private and military airplanes to carry out official government business.
According to CNN, Pruitt used private and military jets over the summer instead of choosing cheaper, commercial flights.
More from the report:
The EPA confirmed to CNN Wednesday that Pruitt used a private plane and military jet to travel for government duties instead of flying commercial for trips over the summer.
Pruitt flew from Cincinnati to New York’s JFK airport on an Air Force jet on June 7. He then continued on to Italy for an international summit on a commercial flight, an EPA spokesman told CNN.
When asked for justification for flying on a military jet instead of a likely cheaper commercial flight, an EPA spokesman told CNN in a statement: “Due to logistical obstacles and the need to schedule meetings with the Vatican before the G7 Summit, we needed to take this flight.”
The CNN report confirms earlier reporting from CBS News that found, in at least one instance this summer, Pruitt forced taxpayers to pick up a $20,000 bill instead of opting for a cheap commercial flight.
“First, he had a trip to Cincinnati with President Trump,” CBS reported, documenting one day of travel for Pruitt on June 7. “Then, he went on to New York’s JFK Airport on an Air Force jet, leaving behind $350 commercial flights and sticking taxpayers with a bill for at least $20,000.”
CBS News added: “Separately, Pruitt’s frequent flights to his home state of Oklahoma have attracted the attention of the EPA’s inspector general.”
This makes Pruitt the third member of the administration to get caught leeching off taxpayers. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin are also under fire for similar conduct.
In the case of Price, The Hill reports that his private air travel “reportedly cost taxpayers some $400,000” since he’s been on the job.
This is just the latest evidence that this administration is not draining the swamp, as Trump repeatedly promised he would do during the campaign. They are deep sea diving in it.
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