Cindy Carr, (202) 495-3034 or cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
Scott Pruitt is losing more support from Congressional Republicans at the same time he still refuses to listen to Donald Trump. The Washington Post reported on Friday that Trump told Pruitt directly to “cool it” with the scandals. Since then, Pruitt has been exposed for nearly countless new scandals and has been found to have broken the law, all while complaining about not being able to continue exploiting the American taxpayers to fund his preferred lavish and luxurious lifestyle. All of this couldn’t come at a worse time as Pruitt is set to testify between not one, but two House committees this week.
Here’s the latest on Pruitt:
Scott Pruitt’s former lobbyist landlord lobbied Pruitt on a client’s behalf, despite denials. It was reported on Friday that the lobbyist, J. Steven Hart, is leaving the firm because of the controversy.
Republican Rep. Frank LoBiondo has joined the chorus of Republicans calling for Pruitt to resign or be fired, including four other Republican Representatives, Sen. Susan Collins, and even Fox News host Steve Hilton. That's not to mention the millions of Americans who want Trump to boot Pruitt.
Pruitt’s spending scandals have found a new home. Specifically, they revolve around a home he bought from a lobbyist when he was an Oklahoma State Senator. When, Pruitt bought the house, he:
Paid $100,000 less than what the lobbyist bought the house for, and the lobbyist’s company, SBC Oklahoma, picked up the rest of the tab. Pruitt then sided with SBC Oklahoma on major legislative issues.
Used Capitol House L.L.C. -- a shell company run by his friend, business partner, and current top EPA aide Kenneth Wagner -- to purchase the house. As a result, none of Pruitt’s Oklahoma financial disclosure filings mentioned the company or the house.
Mortgaged the home through a bank led by Albert Kelly, who is also now a top EPA aide.
And made numerous other ethically questionable deals related to the house.
And speaking of questionable spending in Oklahoma, on Friday it was also revealed that Pruitt “created his own security detail” while serving as Attorney General.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.