HUD’s deputy secretary on Thursday dispatched a team of auditors to the Philadelphia Housing Authority “to conduct an audit of PHA’s financial and management operations,” ordering the agency to "freeze" any action against personnel including embattled executive director Carl Greene.
Deputy Secretary Ron Sims wrote today that “We are very concerned about the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars and so will be paying close attention to the team’s findings,” reads the letter, dated Thursday and send to PHA Board Chairman John F. Street, the former mayor. Mayor Nutter, City Controller Alan Butkovitz, and the PHA Board were copied on the letter.
Sims said he has asked the team to report back to him within 60 days with preliminary findings. “If recommended by the team, we are prepared to require a forensic audit of PHA’s financial and management operations,” Sims wrote.
“I urge you not to make any new appointments or management changes to PHA’s senior team at this point, given the importance of this audit and the sensitivity of the allegations currently facing PHA and its leadership,” the letter said. That will affect the board’s actions on the future of executive director Carl Greene, as well as the future of board appointments.
HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary Jerry Brown said in an interview that the request to make no senior PHA personnel changes includes Greene's status.
"It means freeze," Brown said. "Stop. Halt. We don't want anyone appointed in the interim. We want personnel as is until we able to take a look."
Brown said a team from HUD -- not the HUD Inspector General -- will arrive Tuesday in Philadelphia to review PHA financial and management records.
"We have taken measures to insure that everything remains as it is until our folks have an opportunity go through it all and make decisions on whether federal funds have been misspent," Brown said.
Nutter responded almost immediately with a press release promising his support.
“I commend the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for its decisive action in announcing an audit of the Philadelphia Housing Authority,” said Mayor Nutter. “As I outlined yesterday to Board Chairman John F. Street I am deeply concerned by the recent revelations regarding Philadelphia Housing Authority Executive Director Carl Greene and by the Board’s oversight of the organization. I know that many Philadelphians share this concern and deserve answers to the many questions that have been raised. The City of Philadelphia will provide any help and support requested by HUD.”
Sims is the second most senior official at HUD, according the HUD website, and “is responsible for managing the Department's day-to-day operations, a nearly $40 billion annual operating budget, and the agency's 8,500 employees.”
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pay to play - the phila way— Ed Sullivan- This whole series by the Inquirer and Daily News is on its way to deserving a Pulitzer. Great investigative reporting. I'm sure there is more to be written.— MtAirygrl
- Sims is the second most senior official at HUD, according the HUD website, and “is responsible for managing the Department's day-to-day operations, a nearly $40 billion annual operating budget, and the agency's 8,500 employees.” And I wonder if Greene's salary is more than this guy's? Probably.— phillyskyline
- On a related note, 10 recently purchased paper shredders will be running at PHA from now until Tuesday.— JoeC.
- I wish that the Inquirer and the Daily News would have used the same zealous effort in finding the WMD before our troops were sent to war!— an observer3
- This is nuts. Only in the government .Are they doing this because they don't know how to audit and need the current senior management for directions? I smell they are looking for time so both can come up with excuses. So its ok by HUD for him to sexual harrase for next 60 days.— DennisR
- wrong JoeC they do not work on weekends !!— cdm48
Rendell wanted him, chased him and got him. Nutter is left to fix fat eddies mess.- No EXIT STAGE LEFT!!! Gotta ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS!!!— phillygtown
Comment removed.
Where is frenchmontana???? I guess under a rock with Carl. I hope that idiot stays there.— spreadheadpa- an observer 3,wrong site i'm sure your where trying to reach the Huffington post— XDRUM
- CDM, that couldnt be further from the truth! Not only did Carl recently require all managers to work weekends (despite protests and fear of safety), he also expects most of his Senior Staff to be available for things like big maintenance efforts which occur darn near every weekend. Greene also has been known to put people on weekend shifts just to get at their personal lives! Some of us can't wait to talk to HUD!— Loves To Comment
- Asia Coney might want to start looking at regular houses. This story can only get better with time. Calling Eliot Ness!!!
- JoeC: There is an alternating crew of laborers that works seven (7) days a week, ten (10) hours a day that would be perfect for shredding "confidential" documents.— fedconman
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