Pruitt Rented Condo Linked to Lobbyists Whose Client’s Project EPA OKd

"WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency signed off last March on a Canadian energy company’s pipeline-expansion plan at the same time that the E.P.A. chief, Scott Pruitt, was renting a condominium linked to the energy company’s powerful Washington lobbying firm.

Both the E.P.A. and the lobbying firm dispute that there was any connection between the agency’s action and the condo rental, for which Mr. Pruitt was paying $50 a night.

“Any attempt to draw that link is patently false,” Liz Bowman, a spokeswoman for Mr. Pruitt, said in a written statement.

Nevertheless, government ethics experts said that the correlation between the E.P.A.’s action and Mr. Pruitt’s lease arrangement — he was renting from the wife of the head of the lobbying firm Williams & Jensen — illustrates why such ties to industry players can generate questions for public officials: Even if no specific favors were asked for or granted, it can create an appearance of a conflict."

Eric Lipton reports for the New York Times April 2, 2018.

SEE ALSO:

"Scott Pruitt Buffeted By Growing Pressure To Resign From EPA" (HuffPost)

"Dem Lawmaker Urges Trump To Fire Pruitt" (The Hill)

"Christie on Pruitt controversy: 'I don't know how you survive this one'" (The Hill)

"White House Frustrated With EPA's Pruitt For Apartment Controversy" (CNN)

"Dem Calls On Pruitt To Resign Over Rental Deal With Lobbyist" (The Hill)

"White House Looking Into Scott Pruitt's Housing Situation" (CNN)

"Environment Chief Pruitt Under More Pressure After Condo Reports: Lawmakers" (Reuters)

"EPA Says Pruitt’S Condo Lease Didn’t Violate Ethics Rules" (AP)