BAD TO WORSE

EPA Investigating Scott Pruitt’s $50-a-Night Condo Lease

Latest in a string of controversies.

Scott Pruitt can’t catch a break. The Environmental Protection Agency administrator—following the departure of one of his top aides, a stumbling Fox News interview, and growing concerns in the White House over his string of ethical problems—is now being investigated by the EPA’s inspector general over his $50-a-night condo lease. This is the fourth IG investigation into Pruitt's conduct, following probes into his taxpayer-funded travel, his use of a special hiring authority, and his spending on a soundproof phone booth in his office. The new investigation will focus on reports that he rented a Capitol Hill condo for $50 a night from the wife of an energy lobbyist for several months last year. Separately, one of Pruitt’s closest aides has abruptly resigned. Samantha Dravis, senior counsel and associate administrator in the EPA’s Office of Policy, quit, saying: “It has been an honor to serve in this role at EPA, and I am enormously grateful for the opportunity. I wish Administrator Pruitt and all of the public servants at EPA the very best.”