"When you're an embattled EPA administrator, it helps to have a well-connected lawyer.

Last year, former EPA chief Scott Pruitt's legal defense fund received a $50,000 contribution from Diane Hendricks, a billionaire businesswoman and Republican donor. That donation was sought by a friend of Hendricks, Cleta Mitchell, partner at Foley & Lardner LLP — and trustee of Pruitt's fund.

In a letter to E&E News, Karl Leo, an attorney representing Hendricks, said she was approached by Mitchell, who he said is a friend of hers, about donating to Pruitt's fund.

"Ms. Mitchell asked Ms. Hendricks to make the donation because Mr. Pruitt was being subjected to a variety of unfair legal charges and proceedings and he needed funds to defend himself against such charges while he served his country as the USEPA Administrator," said Leo, founder and president of Leo Law Firm LLC in Huntsville, Ala."

Kevin Bogardus reports for Greenwire April 24, 2019. [2]