Jan 11, 2018

EPA watchdog expanding probe into Pruitt's air travel

EPA Administrator Pruitt. Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images

The Environmental Protection Agency’s internal inspector general said in an internal memo that he is expanding his investigation into agency head Scott Pruitt’s air travel. A probe last year had found Pruitt's "non-commercial" flights between June and August cost taxpayers more than $58,000.

Why it matters: Pruitt and other Trump administration officials have been under scrutiny for flying charter, military or private jets paid for by taxpayers. According to the memo, published online on Wednesday, the decision to expand the scope of the probe through the end of 2017 came in response to “additional congressional requests.”

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