The security chief for the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also worked as a private investigator for the owner of National Enquirer publisher American Media Inc., according to a report by The Associated Press.
A source told the AP that EPA special agent Pasquale Perrotta, also known as Nino, worked on a regular basis for American Media Inc. during the 2016 presidential campaign. The AP reports that Perrotta handled investigative work directed by the publisher’s CEO David Pecker, who reportedly maintains a friendly relationship with Trump.
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The EPA told The Hill that Perrotta received a waiver for outside work under the Obama administration.
“Nino Perrotta received a waiver for outside work in 2013 under the previous administration and was granted an extension on January 25, 2018. He is a dedicated government employee who has honorably served the past four EPA administrators,” EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox said.
The report comes one day after Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said Perrotta has an invalid authorization for outside work.
“If this document is EPA’s basis for claiming that Mr. Perrotta has been cleared, under EPA regulations, to run a private security consulting firm while running the Administrator’s personal security detail, it is insufficient on its face,” the senators wrote in reference to a 2013 document that gave Perrotta permission to run an outside security firm.
Perrotta has attracted media attention in recent weeks amid the growing controversies surrounding EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.
The New York Times identified Perrotta as a key figure in pushing for a dramatic escalation in security spending and activities surrounding Pruitt, including the EPA chief’s unprecedented around-the-clock security detail that has cost taxpayers at least $3 million, his frequent first-class flights, the $43,000 soundproof booth he had installed in his office, a $3,000 sweep for bugs in his office, biometric locks, a new SUV and bulletproof vests — all at the taxpayers’ expense.
Politico reported earlier this month that Perrotta also vetoed concerns from EPA staffers that Pruitt’s spending practices could be inappropriate.
Perrotta, who has worked for more than 10 years at EPA, was reportedly not involved in newsroom projects but instead only projects the CEO directed him to work on, which was different than the other private investigator on staff, according to the AP.
Carper and Whitehouse have requested various documents and other information about Perrotta’s outside work.
The White House has expressed public support for Pruitt amid the growing controversies, citing his record of rolling back Obama-era regulations since taking over as head of the EPA.