HUD Archives: News Releases

HUD TAKES ACTION AGAINST MISSISSIPPI HOUSING AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Housing and Urban Development has barred the Executive Director of the Biloxi, MS Housing Authority from dealing with HUD public housing programs in Mississippi for a year because of improper conduct and mismanagement, HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo announced today.

The decision is expected to lead to Executive Director Robert Carroll's resignation or dismissal, because his job requires regular dealings with HUD's public housing programs.

"We will not tolerate waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement in HUD's programs," Cuomo said. "Our management reforms are setting a high standard of conduct and performance from HUD employees and from others who receive HUD funding. We will ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent properly and effectively."

Carroll has 30 days to appeal the decision against him.

Ruby S. Busick, Director of HUD's Public Housing Division for Mississippi, notified Carroll of the action in a letter.

Busick said the reasons for the sanction against Carroll included the following actions by Carroll:

• Refusing to interview Kenan Cowling, an applicant for the position of Deputy Executive Director, because Cowling is visually impaired. Cowling has filed a lawsuit against the Biloxi Housing Authority based on Carroll's action.
• Participating in misleading HUD to believe that the Biloxi Housing Authority had complied with requirements to make apartments accessible to the handicapped.
• Falsely telling HUD that occupied apartment units were vacant.
• Improperly hiring a Deputy Executive Director when the position was already filled. The newly hired deputy was dismissed after three days.
• Failing to provide records required by HUD.
• Failing to keep receipts of purchases with HUD funds and failing to document reasons for choosing one vendor over another, in violation of HUD regulations.
• Improperly spending over $17,000 on pay raises in excess of budgeted salaries and about $1,200 on retroactive holiday pay (including $606 to himself).