The EPA's Scott Pruitt Really, Really Likes The Ritz-Carlton's Lotion
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt is certainly a fan of luxury travel accommodations.
Congressional probes have recently looked at accusations of a litany of wasteful travel spending, often using taxpayer money to fund frequent first-class trips to destinations he personally wants to visit, telling aides to "find me something to do [in those locations]" as a pretext to justify the use of government funds.
He even wanted to sign a charter for a private jet for $100,000 per month — until aides were able to talk him out of it. (The EPA's annual travel budget is $450,000).
Now, a new report from the Washington Post says that Pruitt asked members of his round-the-clock protective detail to drive him to "multiple locations" in search of the lotion available at The Ritz-Carlton.
"While EPA security agents are required to protect Pruitt at all times — while he is working and during his off hours — the two individuals said the administrator had asked members of the detail to perform tasks that go beyond their primary function," the report in the Post said. "In one instance, they said, he directed agents to drive him to multiple locations in search of a particular lotion on offer at Ritz-Carlton hotels."
Now, the report doesn't exactly say what brand of lotion Pruitt was on the hunt for, but The Ritz-Carlton is known for stocking the luxe line of Asprey "Purple Water" toiletry products, as TPG Reviews Editor Nick Ellis can attest.
Nick is a big fan of the Asprey "Purple Water" toiletry line, as he noted in his review of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. "If you ever find yourself at a Ritz-Carlton property, do your absolute best to swipe as many bottles of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel as you can," Nick noted. "The Asprey 'Purple Water' products are great — my bathroom at home has a nice stash I regularly use when I travel."
So ... it seems Pruitt isn't completely off-base with his intrepid quest for the line of lotions in the DC area.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.