The announcement follows reports that the department intended to spend more than $31,000 on a dining room set for Carson’s office
Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson has launched a set of new financial controls to enhance the department’s fiscal integrity and appointed Irving Dennis as CFO.
The announcement follows reports that the HUD intended to spend more than $31,000 on a dining room set for Carson’s office. Additionally, a HUD employee recently alleged that she was transferred to a new position after raising concerns about the purchase. Only $5,000 is allocated for furnishing the secretary’s office.
In his new role, Dennis will design and implement a transformation plan and lead an internal task force to combat waste, fraud, and abuse. He is a former partner at accounting firm Ernst & Young.
HUD said that the Office of the CFO, with support from the Office of the General Counsel, is currently reviewing processes to ensure the department is within all guidelines and utilizing resources effectively.
Carson said in a statement that current financial controls at the HUD are outdated.
“We simply need to do better,” Carson said. “An updated system of internal controls will provide our agency with greater certainty that the dollars we spend are spent in a manner that satisfies all laws and regulations, and most importantly, the American people. We will approach this as any business would by increasing transparency and accountability. In the end, we will also support a culture that respects the fact that HUD funds belong to the public.”
