Trump's EPA chief said he did not use a private email for state business, but he did

WASHINGTON (AP) - Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt occasionally used private email to communicate with staff while serving as Oklahoma's attorney general, despite telling Congress that he always used a state email account for government business.

Pruitt emails obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request show exchanges where the Republican used a private account hosted by Apple. Pruitt's use of private email, which is not illegal for officials in Oklahoma, was first reported by Oklahoma City Fox television station KOKH.

Pruitt denied using private email for work in both his Senate confirmation hearing last month and in response to written questions.

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said Monday the issue raises questions about Pruitt's honesty.

This isn't the first time that a claim Pruitt made during his confirmation hearings came under question. He also told Senator Cory Booker that he had filed briefs in support of an environmental case against several polluting companies, a claim that's hard to justify based on the available facts.

Pruitt did not respond to emails seeking comment.