Law Firm Seeks Watt’s Removal Over Harassment Charges

Phil Hall

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.

Link copied

Published

Nov 30, 2018

Analysis and Data

Realtor.Com Predicts Top Housing Markets For 2024

Toledo, Ohio, Oxnard, Calif., and Rochester, N.Y. take top spots in annual ranking

With some affordability relief in sight next year as sale prices and mortgage rates start a slow, yet welcome decline, Realtor.com has identified the local housing markets across the U.S. that are primed and ready for growth in its 2024 Top Housing Markets forecast. These ma...

People On The Move

First Community Mortgage Hires Experienced Capital Markets Expert

Jeff Pancer brings 34 years of experience to new EVP of Capital Markets role.

First Community Mortgage (FCM) has named Jeff Pancer to the new position of executive vice president, capital markets. With a career spanning over three decades in secondary markets, Pancer brings a wealth of experience and insight to the Nashville-based national mortgage pr...

Mar

Carolinas Connect Mortgage Expo

Charlotte, NC

More from

Regulation and Compliance

CFPB Slaps Bank Of America With $12 Million Penalty For False Mortgage Data Reporting

For at least four years, hundreds of Bank of America loan officers failed to ask mortgage applicants certain demographic questions.

Regulation and Compliance

Nov 28, 2023

Rising Home Values Propel Higher Loan Limits

FHFA Announces 5.6% Increase in Conforming Loan Limits for 2024

Regulation and Compliance

Nov 28, 2023

NMLS — Then, Now, And To Come

Leaders reminisce, plan, and dream about the regulatory group on its 15th birthday

Regulation and Compliance

Nov 02, 2023

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Shareholders Win Prejudgment Interest On $299M Verdict

Federal court upholds shareholders' right to interest after government's wrongful claim on profits; simple interest rate set, drawing from Delaware law precedent.

Regulation and Compliance

Oct 26, 2023

ADUs Can Now Be Sold Separately In California

‘Backyard revolution’ opens up the affordable housing market.

Regulation and Compliance

Oct 20, 2023

Cracking The Crackdown

How to eliminate and prevent ‘junk’ fees to avoid penalties

Regulation and Compliance

Oct 03, 2023

Popular