EPA's Pruitt Spent $43,000 on Soundproof Phone Booth

A soundproof phone booth that Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt had installed in his office cost some $43,000, including $18,000 in preparations for the unit, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

Although Pruitt has said it is necessary for him to do his job, no previous EPA leader has had such a setup, and there already exists a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) in a separate area of the building. No explanation was given for why the already previous setup was inadequate.

The Post said the cost of the preparatory work was discovered by the watchdog group American Oversight through a public records request and included removing closed circuit television equipment, pouring a concrete slab, installing a drop ceiling, as well as patching and painting work.

After pressure from House Democrats about the expenditures, the EPA Inspector General said in December that his office would probe the cost of the project and examine whether it was necessary, according to The Hill.

This is not Pruitt's first controversy over spending at taxpayer's expense. He has also come under scrutiny for his use of an 18-person, 24/7 security detail and was heavily criticized for spending more than $90,000 in government funds on travel for just part of the month of June, the Washington Examiner reported.

Following that criticism, CNBC reported earlier this month that Pruitt would start flying coach.

The EPA had said Pruitt had been flying first or business class on the recommendation of his security detail following several unspecified incidents during previous trips and threats against him.

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