Pruitt never consulted EPA ethics office about his legal defense fund by alexnazaryan
WASHINGTON — Facing more than a dozen investigations into his conduct last spring, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt announced that he was starting a legal defense fund, raising concerns about the propriety of a government official raising money to fend off official investigations into potential misuse of government funds, among other improprieties.
Pruitt was criticized while in office for frequently trying to avoid agency regulations, while blaming career staff for his infractions. The White House counsel at the time was Don McGahn, who was focused on installing conservative judges on the federal bench, says a lawyer who worked with him in the West Wing. That lawyer said McGahn was lackadaisical about ethical matters. Pruitt, and other Cabinet members, were able to exploit that inattention. As for the GAO, it is unclear how, or why, it would be involved in reviewing Pruitt’s legal defense fund, since that would have been well outside the agency’s purview.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
It’s Official: Andrew Wheeler Is Trump’s EPA ChiefThe official replacement for Scott Pruitt has continued his predecessor’s plans to roll back environmental rules.
Read more »
Senate Confirms Former Energy Lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as EPA HeadThe Senate voted to confirm Andrew Wheeler as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, ratifying President Trump’s choice of a former advocate for business interests to lead the agency.
Read more »
Warren demands answers from EPA on industry influence'Despite his pledge to 'drain the swamp,' President Trump has expanded the influence of the fossil fuel industry under his Administration,' Warren wrote.
Read more »
Cars reach another mileage record in the U.S., but the EPA is worrying about the costVehicles offered for sale in the U.S. for the 2017 model year averaged nearly 25 miles per gallon, up slightly from the prior year and an all-time high, the Environmental Protection Agency said.
Read more »
Congress launches probe on why Texas and EPA stopped NASA from tracking Harvey pollutionCongressional Democrats on Wednesday demanded answers on why Texas and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prevented a special NASA plane from monitoring for pollution in Houston following Hurricane Harvey, the focus of a Los Angeles Times story Tuesday.
Read more »
Senate confirms acting EPA chief for permanent roleThe Senate has confirmed former coal industry lobbyist Andrew Wheeler to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, despite concerns by Democrats and one Republican about regulatory rollbacks he's made in eight months as the agency's acting chief.
Read more »