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Pruitt also said they did not pay her for the time she spent on the real estate search, which the senators said could violate laws that subordinates cannot be required to do personal favors without pay.

The Democrats released internal EPA emails that show Hupp was emailing with realtors from her agency email address and during working hours on at least one occasion last July.

An EPA spokesman said the department is working diligently and in full cooperation with the ongoing investigations.

Hupp did not respond to a request for comment.

The EPA's inspector general already has multiple open investigations into Pruitt's actions since he took over at the agency, including his living arrangement in a Capitol Hill townhouse connected to lobbyists, as well as his security detail and travel.

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