Inspector General Probes HUD Chief Comment

[ProSense]

Inspector General Probes HUD Chief Comment

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 8 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - An inspector general is investigating Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson's comments to a business group that he rejected an advertising contract because the contractor had criticized President Bush.

"We have received a number of complaints from the public as well as from members of Congress," Michael Zerega, spokesman for HUD's inspector general, said Friday. "We are reviewing this matter and will look to the facts and any applicable law or requirements."

Jackson issued an apology Wednesday, saying he made up the story. He won Bush's support Friday.

"Alphonso Jackson has admitted that what he said earlier was improper, that it was a mistake and the president accepts that and still supports a man with whom he's had a long and close relationship," White House press secretary Tony Snow said.

Meanwhile, the Congressional Research Service issued a memorandum saying it would violate federal law — and perhaps the Constitution — to deny a contract to someone because of his or her political affiliation. The memo was released Friday by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (news, bio, voting record), D-N.J., who had requested the opinion.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060513/ap_on_go_ot/hud_secretary

Demand Jackson's Resignation

[Faux pas]

1. Thanks for the info. I was wondering how such a blatant

politically prejudiced government hump could get away with something like that.