Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, April 23, 1998

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Richard Cross April 23, 1998 202-225-3061 EHRLICH EXPRESSES UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT FOR HUD INSPECTOR GENERAL Congressman Robert Ehrlich today expressed strong support for HUD Inspector General Susan Gaffney and her planned investigation of allegations that federal housing dollars are being misspent in Baltimore City. In separate letters to several Republican and Democratic members of Congress and Senators who serve in key positions on housing committees and subcommittees, Congressman Ehrlich called upon them to support Inspector General Gaffney, and to resist attempts by Baltimore officials to interject politics into what should be an apolitical investigation. “Every one of President Clinton’s Inspector Generals must remain above partisan political attacks in order to perform the duties and responsibilities of his or her office,” Congressman Ehrlich stated. “Accordingly, I am outraged and embarrassed by the comments relating to race and partisan politics with respect to the selection of those cities to be investigated. The attempts to derail the investigation and, possibly, taint the results must not succeed." Congressman Ehrlich also expressed his concerns about “incidences of ethical lapses, cronyism, and blatant misuse of federal taxpayer dollars” by the Baltimore City Housing Authority documented in a series of articles appearing in the Baltimore Sun. Congressman Ehrlich’s letters were sent to Congressmen Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Rick Lazio (R- NY), and Steve Horn (R-CA) as well as Senators Christopher Bond (R-MO) and Barbara Mikulski (D- MD). A copy is attached.