Fannie Regulator Refused to Cooperate With Harassment Probe, Report Says
- FHFA director declined interview by independent investigator
- Watt cited status as presidential appointee, report shows
Mel Watt
Photographer: Drew Angerer/Bloomberg
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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s regulator, Mel Watt, refused to cooperate with an independent review of allegations that he harassed a female subordinate, citing his status as a presidential appointee, excerpts from a report on the investigator’s findings show.
Watt, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, declined to be interviewed or provide a response to the misconduct allegations when contacted by the investigator, according to the report, portions of which were obtained by Bloomberg. Watt, 73, said his lawyer advised him not to participate because the process for handling claims is designed to deal with allegations made against rank-and-file employees, not the heads of agencies.