Ex-EPA head reports single, $50,000 gift to defence fund

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency says a Republican donor gave $50,000 for Scott Pruitt’s defence fund before he left the agency.

The former EPA chief reported the gift in a legally required financial disclosure released Thursday. The report lists the $50,000 contribution to Pruitt from Wisconsin businesswoman Diane Hendricks.

Pruitt left the agency in July amid increasing investigations into his spending and other conduct. He earlier acknowledged creating a fund to help him with his growing legal bills.

EPA ethics officials note in the report that they believe the $50,000 contribution was in cash. They added they had not been told of the gift previously.

A call to the Wisconsin headquarters of Hendricks’ building-supply business after-hours Thursday was not immediately returned. EPA spokespeople did not immediately return a call seeking comment.