avoiding the metro by any means necessary
Scott Pruitt literally lives in a lobbyist's Washington townhouse
Scott Pruitt has some sweet digs in Washington: a townhouse located right on Capitol Hill.
But the house's owner could spell trouble for the Environmental Protection Agency boss. It's co-owned by Vicki Hart, the wife of top energy lobbyist J. Steven Hart, reports ABC News.
Property records obtained by ABC News show that Pruitt spent much of 2017 in the townhouse, and J. Steven Hart won't say how much Pruitt paid to be there. Hart said he believed it was market rate — but if it was less, that could be considered an "improper gift" from the lobbyist to Pruitt.
Hart is the chairman and CEO of a firm that lobbies for the NRA and Cheniere Energy Inc. The firm's website says it has "successfully represented clients interested in" 10 environment-related acts, including the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.
Hart doesn't own any part of the townhouse, as it is entirely his wife Vicki's property. He told ABC News that Vicki doesn't lobby the EPA, but Roll Call called the pair a “lobbyist power couple" in 2010, ABC News notes.