Scott Pruitt told staffers 'find me something to do' when he wanted to vacation on the taxpayer's dime

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April 12, 2018 9:51 PM

EPA chief Scott Pruitt insisted on luxury hotels and trips home to Oklahoma on the taxpayer's dime, his former top aide told congressional investigators.

Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt insisted on luxury hotels and regular trips home to Oklahoma on the taxpayer's dime, his former deputy chief of staff told congressional investigators.
Kevin Chmielewski, who was fired after voicing his objections, says Pruitt told staffers to "find me something to do" in order to schedule travel to his desired destinations.
This comes amid a series of reports that Pruitt has potentially misused agency funds through excessive security and first-class travel and engaged in other ethically questionable behavior.

Kevin Chmielewski, Trump's "body man" on the 2016 campaign trail who formerly served as Pruitt's deputy chief of staff at the EPA, met with congressional investigators this week, and his allegations are detailed in a six-page letter signed by five Democratic lawmakers.

Chmielewski, who was reportedly fired from his post after objecting to some of his boss's requests, said that Pruitt made frequent trips back to Oklahoma, where he owns a home and would spend weekends, using taxpayer funds.

"Find me something to do," Pruitt would reportedly tell his staffers when he wanted to travel to particular destinations.

The letter, addressed to Pruitt and signed by Sens. Thomas Carper and Sheldon Whitehouse and Reps. Elijah Cummings, Gerald Connolly, and Donald Beyer Jr., requests a lengthy list of documents concerning Pruitt's activities.

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