The Department of Housing and Urban Development spent over $31,000 for a new dining set for Secretary Ben Carson's office. The purchased furniture has not been delivered but includes a table, chairs, and hutch. The order was made by a staffer after a fellow HUD employee aired concerns over a costly redecoration request.
Ben Carson doesn't believe taxpayer dollars should be spent on affordable housing for low income Americans, but is perfectly fine spending $31,561 in taxpayer dollars on a table for his office.
— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) February 27, 2018
The revelation comes as HUD faces a massive $6 billion cut to its budget, which would affect the poor.
Allegedly Carson did not know about the purchases at the time, but Carson didn't believe it was too much and said he would not return it.
HUD Agency denying overspending
HUD spokesman Raffi Williams denied allegations that the agency overspent redecorating Carson's office. The table is planned to be placed in Carson's office. Williams said that used chairs were put in from the basement and blinds were replaced at a price of $3,400.
On ABC News, Foster said it was a shame that a federal agency who is supposed to be helping the poorest of the poor, is instead looking at how to improve their office. Foster has also said that she had to justify paying for a security system installed at Carson's Virginia home, all with taxpayer funds.
Helen Foster alleging she was demoted over warning of overspending
The Guardian reported earlier on Tuesday, that HUD employee Helen Foster, claims she was demoted because she voiced concern over costly plans to redecorate Carson's office. Allegedly she was asked by former acting HUD Secretary Craig Clemmensen to help find the money to redecorate what would become Carson's office.
She told him that there was a limit on these type of expenses, and he responded saying they always found ways around that over the years, and $5,000 couldn't even by something decent. Williams was not able to address the specific allegations made by Foster.
New Lawsuit: We're suing HUD to find out how much taxpayer money Secretary Ben Carson spent renovating his office. A former HUD official who objected was demoted and told "$5,000 will not even buy a decent chair" https://t.co/ZCLgvfvZas pic.twitter.com/RPKu2bwpWG
— American Oversight (@weareoversight) February 27, 2018
Foster later filed a complaint with the HUD budget director about being asked to violate statute limits on spending, but claims she was removed from her post and demoted to the head of the unit that oversees Freedom of Information Act requests.
Last April, Secretary Ben Carson told radio host Hugh Hewitt that the department was putting in place a system so that they could closely monitor where every dollar goes. HUD had previously spent $31,561 on a conference table for a lunch room where Carson meets with guests.
Williams sad the table was ordered by staffers in charge of the building and was not part of the redecorating of Carson's office. Foster is looking to receive damages and back pay, so she can reimburse her attorney's fees, and a public apology from the department.
