US senator criticizes Pruitt in Oklahoma ethics probe

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A Democratic member of the U.S. Senate committee that conducted confirmation hearings for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt says Oklahoma’s former attorney general presented “inconsistent and contradictory statements” to the panel.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island made the comments in a letter Tuesday about an ethics complaint against Pruitt being investigated by the Oklahoma Bar Association.

Whitehouse says Pruitt was evasive and provided misleading answers when he told the committee he only used his attorney general’s email address to conduct official business.

The complaint alleges Pruitt also used a personal email address. Personal emails show Pruitt worked closely with fossil-fuel companies and others while attorney general to undermine efforts to curb emissions.

Gina Hendryx, the bar association’s general counsel, didn’t immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.