Politics
Senator Exposes Misuse of Taxpayer Funds at HUD
"Joni Ernst" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 
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Clear Facts
- Senator Joni Ernst has exposed cases of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees misusing taxpayer-funded union time for personal activities.
- Examples include a HUD employee running a business in Florida while collecting Washington, D.C. locality pay, and another employee who attended a conference in Puerto Rico and extended it into a vacation.
- Ernst is urging HUD Secretary Scott Turner to address these abuses and ensure federal employees prioritize serving the public.
In a recent move to hold government agencies accountable, Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa has brought to light several instances of misuse of taxpayer funds within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Her findings reveal a troubling pattern where bureaucrats have been exploiting a program designed to allow union-related work on taxpayer time for personal gain.
One of the most glaring cases involves a HUD employee who, while supposed to be working in Washington, D.C., was actually operating a small business in Florida. This individual was also receiving locality pay meant for D.C., despite residing in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Ernst highlighted this discrepancy, noting the presence of legal documents signed by the employee that confirm his Florida residence.
“From launching real estate careers to sitting in jail cells, HUD bureaucrats have been quite busy while claiming to be on taxpayer-funded union time,” Ernst stated. “Meanwhile, they have put the important work of serving the American people on the back burner.”
Another case Ernst uncovered involved a HUD employee who, after attending a training conference in Puerto Rico, extended their stay for a vacation, all while on taxpayer-funded union time. Additionally, a different HUD employee managed to use this time while serving a jail sentence for a DUI offense, only facing termination after allegedly embezzling $20,000 from a government employees’ union.
These revelations are part of a broader issue, as federal employees reportedly spent 2.6 million hours on union activities in fiscal year 2019, costing taxpayers at least $135 million. Ernst’s office continues to gather data on this matter, emphasizing the need for reform.
“I look forward to Secretary Turner getting the house in order at HUD and ensuring that federal employees serve the American people and not themselves,” Ernst expressed her determination to see changes implemented.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has yet to respond to these allegations, but the pressure is on for them to address and rectify these abuses of taxpayer-funded union time.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Frieda Hogan
April 23, 2025 at 3:38 pm
ɢᴏᴏɢʟᴇ ᴘᴀʏꜱ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ $300 ᴀɴᴅ $500 ᴘᴇʀ ʜᴏᴜʀ ꜰᴏʀ ʀᴇᴍᴏᴛᴇ ᴇᴍᴘʟᴏʏᴍᴇɴᴛ. ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ $20537 ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱᴛʀᴀɪɢʜᴛꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴜɴᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴄᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ʀᴇᴄᴇɴᴛ ᴘᴀʏᴄʜᴇᴄᴋ.ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ꜰᴀɴᴛᴀꜱᴛɪᴄ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ꜰᴀɴᴛᴀꜱᴛɪᴄ.
Go ON my ProFILE
Chuck
April 23, 2025 at 5:25 pm
What does that comment have to do with the article, it purports to expose these scammers who are to work for the people on people’s business ( see how I used Clintons argument) they are ripping us off.
Nellie
April 23, 2025 at 6:07 pm
The Democratic Party doesn’t want any investigation because it will expose how the liberal governors have been selling us out to Chinese Communism. Walgreens and illegal Chinese drugs in prescription drugs. Walgreens is being sued. Is Walgreens owned by Chinese Communism?
George Thacker
April 23, 2025 at 6:39 pm
The criminals should have to pay this money back to the tax payers.If they cannot come up with the money freeze an conviscate their assets
DEM
April 23, 2025 at 8:11 pm
I interviewed at HUD years ago. Walking in the door I could just feel the heaviness of bureaucracy. The interview was interesting as well. The position was for a HR Specialst. One of the questions I asked thhem was, how do you celebrate. Total silence for many minutes. I tried to expound, but to no avail. I expectd to hear about an awards program for outanding performance, or for an outtanding contribution to efficiency. They looked at me like I was nuts. Then I said, do you celebrate birthdays, again blank stares.
What an awful experience.
Sfsoldier
April 23, 2025 at 8:15 pm
These scum bags needed to be made to pay back their stealing, both by giving up their assets and their time in a hard labor prison!!
J
April 24, 2025 at 5:19 am
This is why DOGE is at work. Time to prosecute the freeloaders.