EPA Whistleblower allegations against Scott Pruitt prompt more calls for ouster

Show Caption Hide Caption Dems: EPA's Pruitt new definition of 'the swamp' Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer joined other Democrats in blasting EPA chief Scott Pruitt for purported ethical violations and favoring special interests over the public. The Democrats say he is unfit for office and ought to resign. (April 11)

WASHINGTON — Prominent Democrats are again pressing President Trump to fire EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt after a whistleblower detailed a litany of what he said were abuses of power, ethical missteps and wasteful spending.

Kevin Chmielewski, a Trump supporter who served as deputy chief of staff for operations under Pruitt, told staff members of the Democratic lawmakers the administrator overspent his office allowance, demanded security measures that weren't warranted, and insisted on exorbitant travel arrangements — including the rental of a $100,000-per-month private jet, according to documents the lawmakers released Thursday.

Several EPA officials who questioned or challenged the expenses were often retaliated against and demoted, including Chmielewski who was placed on unpaid administrative leave after he refused to retroactively approve first-class airfare for a senior Pruitt aide on a return flight from Morocco in December, according to the letter.

"...The right course of action in this case is to hold Administrator Pruitt for his significant ethical lapses and to restore honest, competent leadership to EPA so this important agency may fulfill its critical mission," the lawmakers wrote to Trump Thursday.

The letter was signed by Sens. Tom Carper of Delaware and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, and House members Don Beyer and Gerald Connolly, both of Virginia, and Elijah Cummings of Maryland.

Carper is the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee whose jurisdiction includes the EPA. Cummings is the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, whose chairman, Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., is investigating Pruitt's travel and a lease agreement he had for a Capitol Hill apartment owned by the wife of an energy lobbyist.

Among the allegations, some of which have already been the subject of media reports, leveled at Pruitt are that he:

Knowingly awarded hefty pay raises for two key aides despite objections from the White House and Pruitt's claim that he had no knowledge of the pay increases.

Instructed staff to "find reasons" to travel to Oklahoma so the administrator can spend long weekends in his home state where he used to be the Attorney General.

Stayed in luxury hotels that exceeded agency cost guidelines but was still reimbursed.

EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox declined to address the specific allegations

“We will respond to members of Congress through the proper channel," he said.

Trump has continued to back Pruitt even though the growing calls for his ouster now include a handful of Republicans on top of the dozens of Democrats and environmental groups that have done so for weeks.

The president praised his embattled Cabinet member last week calling him "very courageous" and lauding him for doing a "fantastic job."

On Saturday, Trump tweeted that while Pruitt's security costs "was somewhat more than his predecessor, Scott Pruitt has received death threats because of his bold actions at EPA. Record clean Air & Water while saving USA Billions of Dollars. Rent was about market rate, travel expenses OK. Scott is doing a great job!"