GAO Review Requested by Senators Reveals Controversy Surrounding Pulte’s Actions
As any work at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) begins, the first step is to determine the full scope of coverage and the methodology to be used. A GAO spokesperson mentioned that this process could take a few months before any estimates on completion dates can be provided.
Senators Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jack Reed, Tina Smith, Chris Van Hollen, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Richard Durbin have requested a GAO review of Pulte’s actions.
Pulte has made criminal referrals against notable figures such as New York Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and Representative Eric Swalwell. The senators raised concerns about the basis of these claims, Pulte’s access to information as a Director, and the potential use of official resources in making these claims.
Furthermore, the senators highlighted the possibility of federal privacy law violations in publicly disclosing these criminal referrals, including the Privacy Act of 1974.
Internal queries regarding Pulte’s methods led Fannie Mae officials to investigate whether he improperly obtained mortgage records of Democratic officials. The Wall Street Journal reported that some officials were terminated as a result of these investigations.
In the aftermath, Fannie Mae’s chief ethics officer, Suzanne Libby, was removed, and general counsel Danielle McCoy resigned under pressure. Additionally, the FHFA’s acting inspector general, Joe Allen, who escalated the report to prosecutors, was requested to step down.