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The Washington Post: Inspector General Overseeing Federal Housing Agency Resigns, Months After Watchdog Report Finds Abuse of Authority

The Washington Post, June 30, 2021, Inspector General Overseeing Federal Housing Agency Resigns, Months After Watchdog Report Finds Abuse of Authority

The inspector general overseeing the Federal Housing Finance Agency resigned Tuesday, two months after a scathing watchdog report alleged that she abused her authority, retaliated against employees and blocked an investigation into her conduct.

In April, an investigation by a special panel — known as the Integrity Committee — sent a report to the White House about Laura Wertheimer, the inspector general overseeing FHFA, who was nominated by President Barack Obama in 2014. The report noted years of complaints against Wertheimer and other staff members, and it ultimately concluded that “misconduct of this nature warrants consideration of substantial disciplinary action, up to and including removal.”

The report found that Wertheimer “showed a disdain and resistance” toward oversight from Congress and the Integrity Committee and that she fostered “a culture of witness intimidation through a pattern of staff abuse and fear of retaliation.” The report said that Wertheimer wrongfully refused to cooperate with investigators from the Integrity Committee by denying them complete access to office staff and documents.

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