Scott Pruitt: EPA Corruption, Tactical Security Detail, and Regulatory Rollbacks
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Pruitt's tenure combined serious corruption with aggressive deregulation — two goals that reinforced each other. His 24/7 security detail, which EPA Inspector General reports found was not justified by credible threats, cost taxpayers approximately $3.5 million in his 17 months at the agency. He flew first-class on domestic flights, claiming security concerns, while his own security detail said coach was adequate. He rented a condo from the wife of a lobbyist — at $50/night — while her clients' matters were pending before the EPA. He granted unprecedented raises to two staff members through CAA authority after the White House had denied the raises. He was ultimately undone by the accumulation of scandal but had already implemented dozens of deregulatory actions.
Overview
Scott Pruitt was under more than 14 separate investigations when he resigned. His EPA Administrator tenure combined personal corruption of unusual scale — a below-market condo from a lobbyist's wife, a $43,000 phone booth, a $3.5 million security detail for personal errands — with the most aggressive deregulatory agenda at the EPA since the agency's founding.
Trump tweeted that he had done an "outstanding job."
The Condo
A Capitol Hill condo, rented from the wife of a lobbyist whose clients had matters before the EPA, for $50 per night — roughly the cost of a budget motel room in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country. Pruitt's daughter also stayed there while interning in Washington.
The EPA's own ethics office found the arrangement did not satisfy federal ethics standards. The husband's clients had regulatory interests before the agency his wife was subsidizing.
The Security
Every EPA administrator receives security protection. None had received 24/7 protection before Pruitt. The IG found no credible threat assessment justified the level. What the agents described in interviews was different from security work: driving Pruitt to restaurants, picking up dry cleaning, running personal errands.
Cost to taxpayers: approximately $3.5 million in 17 months. This for an administrator who was simultaneously arguing the EPA budget needed to be cut.
The Deregulation
Pruitt's corruption was not incidental to his policy agenda — it was its companion. He implemented more than 30 significant deregulatory rollbacks. He initiated the process of withdrawing from the Clean Power Plan. He weakened vehicle emissions standards. He suspended Obama-era environmental rules.
The regulated industries whose rules he was rolling back were represented by the same lobbying firms whose principals were subsidizing his housing. This is not a coincidence the IG pointed out because it was too structurally obvious to require investigation.
The Fourteen Investigations
By resignation, Pruitt was under investigation by the EPA's own inspector general, the Government Accountability Office, multiple congressional committees, and the DOJ. The investigations covered his security, his travel, his communications booth, his staff raises, his condo, his potential use of his position to benefit private interests.
He resigned. Trump praised him.
Timeline
Sequence of events
February 17, 2017
Pruitt confirmed as EPA Administrator
Scott Pruitt is confirmed as EPA Administrator 52-46. As Oklahoma attorney general, he had filed multiple lawsuits against the EPA. His confirmation is supported by fossil fuel industry groups. He immediately begins implementing deregulatory agenda.
March 1, 2017
Condo rental from lobbyist wife begins
Pruitt begins renting a Capitol Hill condo from Vicki Hart, wife of lobbyist J. Steven Hart, for $50 per night. Her clients have matters pending before the EPA. The arrangement was later found to not satisfy federal ethics standards.
June 1, 2017
24/7 security detail established — unprecedented for EPA
Pruitt establishes a 24/7 security detail unprecedented for an EPA administrator. Agents later describe performing personal errands. The detail costs approximately $3.5 million in 17 months. The IG finds no credible threat justified the level of protection.
February 1, 2018
Soundproof booth installed — $43,000, exceeds threshold
A $43,000 soundproof communications booth is installed in Pruitt's office. EPA rules require Congressional notification for improvements over $5,000. Congress is not notified. The IG investigates. The booth is never certified as meeting security specifications.
May 1, 2018
Unauthorized pay raises — Pruitt claims ignorance, staff disputes
Pruitt's use of Superfund contracting authority to provide $43,000 and $28,000 raises to two staff members — after White House denial — becomes public. Pruitt claims he didn't know about it. Staff say his claim is false. He asks aides to issue supportive statements.
July 5, 2018
Pruitt resigns — 14+ investigations had accumulated
Pruitt submits his resignation letter, citing the 'unrelenting attacks' on himself and his family. At resignation, more than 14 investigations by the EPA IG, GAO, and Congress were open. Trump tweets that Pruitt did an 'outstanding job.'
Sources
- ↑ Scott Pruitt Resigns as E.P.A. Chief After a Cascade of Ethics Scandals — The New York Times
- ↑ Scott Pruitt resigns — the full timeline of his scandals — The Washington Post
- ↑ EPA's Pruitt resigns amid cascade of ethical scandals — The Associated Press
- ↑ EPA Inspector General Report on Pruitt's Security Detail and Travel — EPA Office of Inspector General
Verification