Law Firm Seeks Watt’s Removal Over Harassment Charges

Nov 30, 2018

The Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General (FHFA OIG) has issued a report stating that former Director Mel Watt misused his position to force a romantic relationship on a female colleague

A movement is underway to drum up public support to demand the removal of Mel Watt as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for the expiration of his term on Jan. 6.

Watt has been accused of sexual harassment by Simone Grimes, a special adviser at the agency who presented audio recordings to back her claims. In testimony delivered before the House Finance Committee in September, Grimes stated that Watt made “multiple unwanted advances towards me and insisted that we meet in several unusual locations to discuss my professional issues.” She added that she Watt “more than once implied that his advances were linked to my ability to receive promotions and pay increases.”

Watt, a former North Carolina congressman who was appointed by President Obama to run the FHFA, denied Grimes claims and refused to cooperate with an independent investigation into the matter. Grimes’ accusation brought little comment from Congress, which was engulfed over the past year with several sexual harassment charges aimed at legislators along with the recent unsubstantiated charges leveled at Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing for the vacancy on the Supreme Court.

Whistleblower Aid, an organization that identifies itself as non-profit pro bono law firm representing whistleblowers, has set up a Web site called “Fire Mel Watt” and has launched an online petition drive to force Congress to impeach Watt before his directorship concludes, thus preventing him from receiving a federal pension. A rally against Watt was held yesterday outside of his office in Washington. The FHFA Director can only be fired by the President, but the Whistleblower Aid efforts are not seeking President Trump’s input.

“In this #MeToo era, let’s demand that there are real consequences for government officials who commit sexual harassment,” said Whistleblower Aid on its “Fire Mel Watt” Web site.

About the author

Phil Hall

Link copied

Published

Nov 30, 2018

Analysis and Data

Lower-Payment Mortgage Applications Nearly Match Median Rent

Principal-and-interest payments reached $1,522 for lower-payment purchase applicants in June, just $9 below the national median asking rent

Prospective homebuyers received modest affordability relief in June, but a closer look at the numbers shows how difficult the monthly payment conversation remains for loan originators.The national median principal-and-interest payment sought by purchase applicants fell to $2...

Investor Loans

Rated Deals Gain Ground In RTL Securitization Market

Rated transactions are projected to represent 73% of 2026 issuance and have priced substantially tighter than unrated deals, according to KBRA

Rated transactions are claiming a larger share of the residential transition loan securitization market, with investors generally accepting tighter spreads on rated deals than on their unrated counterparts, according to new research from KBRA.Residential transition loans, co...

Nov

Houston, TX

More from

Regulation and Compliance

Fannie Mae AI Governance Deadline Arrives Aug. 6

Seller/servicers using artificial intelligence in origination or servicing must have formal policies, oversight, and vendor controls in place

Regulation and Compliance

Jul 31, 2026

Condo Review Deadline Puts Lenders On The Clock

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will eliminate abbreviated project reviews for condo applications dated on or after Aug. 3

Regulation and Compliance

Jul 24, 2026

TRUE Releases AI Governance Guide Ahead Of Fannie Mae Deadline

Guide focuses on tracing mortgage data from borrower documents through AI validation, human review, and final LOS entry

Regulation and Compliance

Jul 22, 2026

AD Mortgage Warns Condo Eligibility Changes Could Restrict Conventional Financing

Wholesale lender cites internal loan data to urge regulators to monitor whether new condominium eligibility standards reduce access to conventional financing

Regulation and Compliance

Jul 20, 2026

CHLA Says Direct Payments Are Key To Small FHA Loans

The lender group says mortgages below $100,000 routinely lose money, while LO compensation rules could prevent federal incentives from reaching originators

Regulation and Compliance

Jul 17, 2026

Solidifi Clears FHA Certification For UAD 3.6 Integration

The appraisal management company says it is the first to complete certification for FHA’s modernized EAD platform, giving lender clients an early path toward implementation

Regulation and Compliance

Jul 16, 2026

Popular