Political Scandals

Report: Pruitt Trip Was Arranged By Lobbyist And Cost More Than $100K

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's trip to Morocco was initially reported to have cost about $40,000.

Report: Pruitt Trip Was Arranged By Lobbyist And Cost More Than $100K
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New details have emerged about embattled Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt's expensive trip to Morocco.

Newsy and other media previously reported on the trip, which lasted less than a week. Initially, Pruitt's stay was reported to have cost $40,000. Now, The Washington Post reports the actual price tag was more than $100,000. His and his staff's air travel alone exceeded $16,000. Pruitt reportedly stayed at hotels that advertise themselves as luxury establishments.

The Post also says the trip was organized, at least in part, by a close friend of Pruitt who was employed by the Moroccan government as a lobbyist. According to the sources who spoke with the Post, that lobbyist accompanied Pruitt on several events during his stay.

Pruitt's official reason for visiting Morocco was to outline U.S. environmental priorities for a bilateral trade agreement and to go over "the potential benefit of liquified natural gas imports on Morocco's economy."

This latest revelation adds to what seems like an ever-growing list of scandals and new details about Pruitt's expenses and questionable behavior. Pruitt faces nearly a dozen investigations into his spending, first-class travel, security demands and more.