"Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, spent roughly $3.5 million in taxpayer funds on his personal security detail during his first year in office, 1.7 times what his predecessors spent each year on average, according to records made public Friday by the agency. Those figures included $2.7 million on salaries and overtime for security staff and more than $760,000 on travel for security agents.
Mr. Pruitt, whose spending practices have come under scrutiny from Congress, has round-the-clock protection and at least 20 people on his security detail. In his first year, he often flew first class while traveling, citing security concerns. In March, he said that he intended to start flying coach.
During the Obama administration, the E.P.A. spent between $1.7 million and $2.3 million annually, adjusted for inflation, on security details for the two previous E.P.A. chiefs, Lisa P. Jackson and Gina McCarthy. After Mr. Pruitt took office, the spending on security increased sharply."
Brad Plumer and Nadja Popovich report for the New York Times May 25, 2018.
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