Pruitt’s trip to Rome cost more than reported

 

Even after leaving office as Administrator of the EPA, Scott Pruitt continues to draw the ire of environmental groups. The latest is a report by the nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project which says documents about Pruitt’s June 2017 trip to Italy cost taxpayers a third more than previously reported.

It had previously been reported that the cost of the trip was $120,256.36 but the EIP says newly released government documents show an additional $43,.943.57 in expenses.

The EIP says the overall cost of $164,200 included $10,067 for a motorcade and $5,841 to house the drivers at the 5-star Baglioni Hotel Regina in Rome.  The hotel charges more than $500 a night for rooms.

The claim is based on EPA records obtained by the project through various FOIA lawsuits.

 

“These expenditures show where the Trump Administration’s real priorities lie,” said Tom Pelton, Director of Communications for the Environmental Integrity Project. “And the records show their minds are far more on the ‘Dolce Vita’ than on keeping lead and pesticides out of our children.”