Scandal-scarred EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has reportedly been enlisting members of his security detail to buy him his favorite moisturizing lotion _ and the New York Daily News has tracked down the brand he prefers.
People familiar with the matter told The Washington Post on Thursday that Pruitt directed his security guards to chase down a particular lotion on offer at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Washington, D.C.
The sources didn't clarify what particular lotion Pruitt liked, but a housekeeper at the Ritz-Carlton told the Daily News the hotel only carries creams from the London-based Asprey brand at their locations.
The housekeeper said the hotel offers one generic Asprey cream and one nonscented, hypoallergenic version for sensitive skin. The generic cream retails at $37.50, according to the Ritz-Calrton website. The hypoallergenic lotion is not available on the website.
In addition to the Asprey creams, the Ritz-Carlton online shop has an "exclusive" in-house cream on sale that it brands as a "guest-favorite." That one goes for $27.20, according to the website.
An EPA spokeswoman declined to comment on what type of lotion Pruitt prefers, only providing a generic statement saying he uses "the same security protocol whether he's in his personal or official capacity."
In addition to lotion, Pruitt reportedly had members of his security detail pick up his dry cleaning.
The unusual and potentially ethically dubious lotion request sparked renewed calls for Pruitt's resignation.
"(Pruitt) is using EPA to do his personal bidding on the taxpayers' dime. Americans are fed up. Enough is enough," tweeted Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, the top Democrat on the Senate's environmental committee.
Pruitt is enmeshed in a dizzying number of ethical scandals involving his questionable management tactics and unprecedented spending on taxpayer-funded travel, accommodation and security.
News reports and congressional testimony has revealed the embattled EPA czar has habitually directed his aides to carry out nonofficial duties, prompting government misuse concerns from ethics watchdogs.
Earlier this week, Pruitt's since-resigned executive scheduler, Millan Hupp, told a congressional committee that he directed her to contact the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., to inquire about buying a used mattress at a discount. The following day, unearthed emails showed Pruitt had ordered another aide to reach out to Chick-fil-A to inquire about a business opportunity for his wife.
Despite the bizarre scandals, President Donald Trump offered full-throated support for his climate change-skeptical EPA administrator, telling him during an event Wednesday that he's doing "really, really well."
