Top Democratic housing regulator Mel Watt refuses to participate in an investigation of claims that he had sexually harassed a woman who worked for him.
Watt, who is currently the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, said he was not a subject of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) harassment rules. “Presidential appointees confirmed by the United States Senate are specifically excluded from this definition,” Watt said in a July email, according to Politico.
The top Democratic housing regulator was accused of making sexual advances against Simone Grimes, who is involved with mortgage-financing companies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Watt allegedly made sexual advances towards Grimes while discussing salary.
An office inside the U.S. Postal Service conducted an administrative investigation as a separate review from the FHFA, according to Politico. The FHFA inspector general originally opened the probe.
“As I am cooperating fully with the investigation that the FHFA Office of Inspector General is undertaking of the allegations Ms. Grimes has made against me, a full investigation of this matter will occur without your interview of me,” Watt wrote to the USPS contract investigator.
Grimes sued the FHFA for $1 million in August for allegedly paying her less than a male co-worker, but her suit was unsuccesful.
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