EPA defends Pruitt’s deal
Official paid for lodging to wife of energy lobbyist
The Environmental Protection Agency’s senior ethics counsel said Friday she didn’t think Administrator Scott Pruitt’s reported room rent deal with the wife of an energy lobbyist was prohibited.
“I don’t conclude that this is a prohibited gift at all,” counsel Justina Fugh said in a statement provided to USA TODAY. “It was a routine business transaction and permissible even if from a personal friend.”
Per media reports, Pruitt paid $50 a night to rent a room on Capitol Hill.
But the apartment is owned by health care lobbyist Vicki Hart, who is married to energy lobbyist J. Steven Hart, according to Bloomberg News and ABC News.
According to EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox, Pruitt, who became administrator in February 2017, signed a lease to rent a bedroom in a condo while transitioning to Washington.
He moved out at the end of July 2017.
Wilcox did not confirm to USA TODAY that the condo was owned by Vicki Hart.
EPA officials reportedly looked for documentation that Pruitt paid rent after ABC News reported Thursday about the living arrangement.
The connection to J. Steven Hart – who serves as chairman of a lobbying firm that represents major energy industry interests – could raise some questions about the deal.
Rep. Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat who often calls for more oversight of the Trump administration, called for Pruitt’s resignation.
“Scott Pruitt has conducted himself terribly, without regard for environmental protection,” Beyer said. “Pruitt’s secret rent deal with a lobbyist for companies regulated by the EPA is much like his many other scandals.”
Watchdog group Public Citizen has asked EPA’s inspector general to launch an investigation into Pruitt’s rental arrangement, saying that it could have violated rules if the administrator paid less than market rate values.
If Pruitt were paying on a monthly basis, his rent for his room in the two-bedroom apartment would be between $1,400 and $1,550, depending on the month.