Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Alphonso Jackson is under fire from Congress for allegation(s) of impropriety. An email trail recently revealed a conversation between two top political HUD appointees discussing ways to make the life of Philadelphia's housing director Carl R. Greene miserable after he refused a request to transfer a $2 million piece of city property to a business friend of the HUD Secretary.
It looks like the little known HUD Secretary will get his fifteen minutes of fame. Unlike most Cabinet level officials who seize the opportunity to testify before Congress to showcase their organization, Secretary Jackson chose a different strategy. In front of the appropriately named Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), Jackson hardly made a peep. Instead, he defiantly refused to respond to direct questions of Chairman Patty Murray (D-Wa) at the subcommittee hearing about orchestrated efforts to "punish" Philadelphia's housing director for not providing political favors when prompted.
"This is a cabinet secretary who has consistently ducked accountability, and arrogantly refused to heed the public's calls for answers. Secretary Jackson should resign immediately and seek to clear his name as a private citizen - if he can," said Senator Murray in recent press release. "
The spotlight on Jackson has revealed other questionable decisions - like his priorities. Despite being in a key position to help address the current housing meltdown, Secretary Jackson found plenty of time to get his official portrait painted and do a little redecorating with the faces of four other recent HUD Secretaries. The painting cost HUD and taxpayers $100,000; money well spent.
So, if you find yourself in Las Vegas or Atlantic City and need a safe bet, lay some money down that Jackson becomes the next Bush appointee to resign by "choice or force." Odds are you'll be blowing your winnings in the champagne room shortly afterwards.