EPA says Pruitt's condo lease didn't violate ethics rules

[DonViejo]

Source: Associated Press



By MICHAEL BIESECKER
1 hour ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — An agency ethics official at the Environmental Protection Agency says Administrator Scott Pruitt’s lease of a Capitol Hill condo tied to a prominent fossil-fuels lobbyist didn’t violate federal ethics rules.

A memo signed by Kevin Minoli contends that Pruitt’s $50-a-night rental payments constitute a fair market rate. The memo was dated March 30, the day after ABC News first reported Pruitt lived last year in condo co-owned by the wife of Steven Hart, a registered lobbyist whose firm pushed EPA to relax pollution regulations. Pruitt’s college-aged daughter stayed in the second bedroom while interning at the White House last summer.

Minoli’s memo says the $50-a-night rate would total $1,500 for 30 nights a month, which he deemed to be a fair price.

Pruitt’s lease, however, required him to pay just for nights he occupied in the unit. Pruitt actually paid a total of $6,100 over the six month period he leased the property, an average of about $1,000 a month.

Read more: https://www.apnews.com/d0cd6b83443245af8391c1232766b5c1/EPA-says-Pruitt%27s-condo-lease-didn%27t-violate-ethics-rules

[MyOwnPeace]

1. Well, then.........

if Pruitt's own guy says it's OK, that settles that! (guess the guy gets to keep his job!)

[bottomofthehill]

2. what about the free use for his daughter,

is that not also a benefit to him? I would love to rent that place from them for $1500 a month, I would get a roommate and charge him or her $1500 a month and then live for free in the other room.

[bottomofthehill]

3. if you are familiar with DC

I live by Eastern High school in a 1 bedroom apartment that is almost 600 squ feet and pay $1860 a month. It is a new building but still about 16 blocks further from the Capitol. I think the 2 bedrooms in my building START at $2600 per month and go to about $3500 or more. There are other fees that are additional

[csziggy]

5. My niece has a 325 sq. ft. efficiency just off Dupont Circle

She gets about $4-5000 a month for it now that she is leasing it while she works out of the country. She bought it when she was a congressional intern and my sister questioned whether or not it was a good investment. She's already paid off a significant part of the mortgage and will soon own it free and clear.

[bottomofthehill]

7. To be close to the metro is expensive

In the late 80’s through the early 2000’ the stadium area was a dangerous neighborhood due to the open air drug trade in the area. Now the biggest problem is finding parking

[csziggy]

8. True and her condo is within walking distance of the Capitol and other government buildings

She never had to take a bus, metro, or cab to work while she was in Washington - just sometimes to events and meetings. She hasn't owned a car in ten years. When she comes back to the States, she rents.

[keithbvadu2]

4. "fair market rate" - Is it still available?

[mpcamb]

6. He had business dealings with the guy who rented it to him.

That,not the price of the apt, is the issue,
Tit for tat.
The guy is a high roller who deals with Pruitt's Agency.
Therein lies the violation.
Government ethics used to avoid even the appearance of malfeasance.
trump's people spit at ethics.