More bush admin corruption:FBI inquiry targets housing secretary

[cali]

By PETE YOST and LARA JAKES JORDAN
The Associated Press

Jackson WASHINGTON -- The FBI is examining the ties between Housing Secretary Alphonso Jackson and a friend who was paid $392,000 by Jackson's department as a construction manager in New Orleans, three federal law enforcement officials said Thursday.

William Hairston of Hilton Head Island, S.C., got the job after the HUD secretary asked a staff member to pass along his name to the Housing Authority of New Orleans, a spokesman for Jackson said in a statement.

At the time, the housing authority was in desperate need of a construction manager because there was a severe shortage of reputable local contractors after Hurricane Katrina, the spokesman for Jackson said.

The inquiry was first reported by The National Journal. Three federal law enforcement officials confirmed that an investigation is under way. They spoke on condition of anonymity.

<snip>

http://www.star-telegram.com/national_news/story/257810.html

[Richard Steele]

1. The B*sh Administration: too busy stealing to govern. nm

[cali]

2. kick because it should be news on DU

when a Cabinet Secretary is being investigated by the FBI. And because this is the asshat who said he wouldn't give a contract to anyone who didn't support bushco.

[L. Coyote]

3. K & R There is just no end to the corruption when it starts at the top!

[cali]

4. Ain't that the truth.

I hope this story gets some play. It looks like the worst kind of cronyism.