So, conflict of interest or coincidence? Personally, I don't believe in coincidence.
It's quite possibly a payment, which is scary. But I never did meet a politician who wasn't bought off in some way.
If you can't read it, either because you are not a subscriber or have used up your allotted articles for the month. Here is the MSN link
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/scott-pruitt-epa-chief-rented-residence-from-wife-of-energy-lobbyist/ar-AAviP3a