EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s Spending Broke Federal Law

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released a report finding that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt broke federal spending laws when he spent $43,000 to install a soundproof phone booth in his office.

The cost of Pruitt’s phone booth was initially reported to be $25,000, but the total was increased to $43,000 after a lawsuit brought by American Oversight exposed additional expense records.

“Scott Pruitt’s illegal spending spree has finally started to catch up with him. After firing or demoting anyone who objected to his first class flying and oversized entourage, Scott Pruitt is running out of places to hide. As millions of Americans mail our checks to the IRS this week, it’s time for Pruitt to stop treating our tax dollars like his own personal slush fund,” said Austin Evers, Executive Director of American Oversight.

American Oversight has been actively investigating Scott Pruitt’s mismanagement of the EPA, including his excessive spending on personal security, first class travel, and office upgrades. We have filed six lawsuits against the EPA seeking the release of records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and we have more than 50 FOIA requests currently pending at the agency.

See the records we uncovered detailing Pruitt’s office renovation expenses here: