HUD Chief Is Expected To Announce Resignation

[swag]

Source: Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON -- Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson is expected to announce his resignation Monday, according to people familiar with the matter, a decision that will deal a blow to the Bush administration's efforts to tackle the housing and mortgage mess.

The exact reasons for Mr. Jackson's decision couldn't be learned. The secretary has been beset recently by allegations of cronyism and favoritism ...


Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120692786807175983.html?mod=djemalertNEWS

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via Talking Points Memo.

[marmar]

1. "the Bush administration's efforts to tackle the housing and mortgage mess."

As if BushCo gives a sh*t about the housing mess.

[maseman]

2. "Mess? What mess?"

He's so fucking clueless.

Ring...ring...hello the clue phone is ringing...

He's too busy trying to get people to like him again going to baseball games and getting high.

[davidinalameda]

3. I'm sure it's "family issues"

[NanceGreggs]

4. Stop the presses!

"The secretary has been beset recently by allegations of cronyism and favoritism ..."

Cronyism and favoritism in the Bush administration!?!

Say it aint' so ...

[Roy]

5. Isn't this amazing????

Wouldn't this make it more possible that an intelligent being with a brain may get that post.


"a decision that will deal a blow to the Bush administration's efforts to tackle the housing and mortgage mess."

Of course the operative word is "POSSIBLE".

[notesdev]

6. You're welcome

nt

[Lasher]

7. He's probably resigning because of a conflict of interest investigation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, in conjunction with HUD Inspector General Kenneth Donohue, a federal grand jury, and prosecutors from the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section are investigating conflict of interest allegations over a $127 million redevelopment project in New Orleans that Jackson had awarded to Columbia Residential, an Atlanta Company. According to the HUD secretary's public financial disclosure reports, the firm has significant financial ties to Jackson, and owes the secretary between $250,000 and $500,000 "for past services." The investigation centers around whether Jackson had misled Congress when he testified that he "didn't touch contracts".

Separately, federal agents are closely examining whether Jackson arranged lucrative housing work for two of his close friends, one of whom worked at the Housing Authority of New Orleans, and the other had received a contract to manage the Virgin Islands Housing Authority.

Jackson's former No. 2 aide Scott Keller has emerged as a key figure in the investigation.

It has been reported by the Wall Street Journal that he will resign on Monday, April 1, as a consequence of the investigation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphonso_Jackson#Cabinet_career

And then there's this other little problem:

Several congressional lawmakers have called for Jackson to step down over his refusal to answer questions about his role in a Philadelphia redevelopment deal. The city's housing authority has filed a lawsuit charging that Jackson tried to punish the agency for nixing a deal involving music-producer-turned-developer Kenny Gamble, a friend of Jackson.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23873252

[Robbien]

9. This is the guy who said that no awards would be given to Dems. GOPers only

Dems need not apply.

He would only hire GOPers and only give Fed HUD grants to GOPers. He is the typical Bush Admin administrator, only he has a big mouth and actually stated in open forums the unwritten Bush Admin rule.

[Lasher]

11. That's right. At least Gonzales had the sense to say he didn't remember. n/t

[BumRushDaShow]

8. He wants to spend more time with his family.

:sarcasm:

[Patriot Abroad]

10. Expect a landslide of announcements like this . . .

As the cronies try to bail out before the end of Bush's term - even if McCain wins, he's got to clean house to remove some of the taint of the last 7 years.

[Ian David]

12. He's resigning to spend more time stealing Katrina money with his family. n/t

[Botany]

13. HUD Secretary Jackson Expected To Resign On Monday - Media Reports []

Source: RTTnews



3/30/2008 11:32:40 PM Facing mounting pressure to step down amidst charges of cronyism, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson has called a press conference for Monday morning in Washington, D.C. - and various media outlets are reporting that he will tender his resignation.

If it happens, the resignation will deal a significant blow to the Bush administration's campaign to straighten out the difficulties in the U.S. housing market. Jackson and his agency have been very active in many of the recent government initiatives. HUD also runs the Federal Housing Administration, which insures mortgages for low-income homeowners and first-time home buyers - and is seen as playing a key role in stabilizing the mortgage market.

Jackson is facing a lawsuit from the Philadelphia Housing Authority that accuses him of trying to punish the agency for not approving a deal that would have benefited one of his friends. He is also accused of trying to deny grants for a contractor who is a Democratic donator.

President George W. Bush has fielded requests from Democratic lawmakers, who have called for Jackson's resignation.

Read more: http://www.rttnews.com/FOREX/politicalnews.asp?date=03/30/2008&item=15

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[Demit]

14. WHO's a good little crony, now? Why, YOU are, Alphonso, YOU are!!

[Botany]

15. More info .... from MSNBC

Jackson, 62, has been fending off allegations of cronyism and favoritism involving HUD contractors for the past two years.

The FBI has been examining the ties between Jackson and a friend who was paid $392,000 by Jackson's department as a construction manager in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

When the existence of the criminal probe was revealed in October, the White House said President Bush supports Jackson and that Jackson "expects that the investigation will clearly establish that he did nothing improper or unethical."

In another controversy, the housing authority in Philadelphia has filed a lawsuit alleging that Jackson tried to punish the agency for nixing a deal involving music-producer-turned-developer Kenny Gamble, a friend of Jackson.

[sofa king]

16. And he did.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/31/AR2008033100871.html?hpid=topnews

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced his resignation today, citing "personal and family matters." He has come under pressure from Congress for his refusal to answer questions about a federal lawsuit and whether he tried to steer land to a business friend.

In a letter to President Bush, Jackson, 62, said he is stepping down effective April 18 and would "fully assist in the orderly transition of the leadership at HUD."

He added: "There are times when one must attend more diligently to personal and family matters. Now is such a time for me." He made no mention of the controversies that have cast a pall over his agency at a time of crisis in the nation's housing industry.

____________________

My theory is that, especially in the Bush Administration, "personal and family matters" is a euphemism for "crimes which cannot be covered up while I'm still in office." The more one cites them, the bigger the crime.