Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner used a private email account to carry out official White House business, his lawyer said.
Jared Kushner sent 'fewer than 100' White House emails between January and August from his private email. Photo: AFP
Mr Kushner is a senior presidential adviser and is married to Ivanka Trump.
His lawyer confirmed the existence of the personal email account in a statement on Sunday.
During his campaign, Mr Trump repeatedly criticised rival Hillary Clinton for using a personal email account while Secretary of State.
The president frequently encouraged crowds at rallies to chant "lock her up", and vowed to imprison Mrs Clinton over concerns she may have mishandled classified information. An investigation into the matter was closed without charges.
Dozens of emails were exchanged between Mr Kushner and other White House officials on topics including media coverage and event planning, according to Politico, which first published the story.
There is no indication that Mr Kushner shared classified or privileged information through his private email account.
"Mr Kushner uses his White House email address to conduct White House business," his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement.
"Fewer than 100 emails from January through August were either sent to or returned by Mr. Kushner to colleagues in the White House from his personal email account.
"These usually forwarded news articles or political commentary and most often occurred when someone initiated the exchange by sending an email to his personal, rather than his White House, address."
Federal regulations specify how records related to the president and other government activities should be maintained.
The use of private accounts can put official records beyond the reach of journalists, lawmakers, and others who seek publicly-available information.
- BBC