June 22, 1998

(6/22/98) Mayors Applaud Lewis For New Fair and Open Fraud Review Process

Statement in response to Congressman Lewis' actions regarding HUD Inspector General fraud investigations.

Today the United States Conference of Mayors applauds Chairman Jerry Lewis' leadership in deciding to reverse the "urban fraud" investigation as currently proposed by HUD Inspector General Susan Gaffney. We are pleased that the National Conference of Black Mayors stood with us and together we were able to bring attention to an ill planned and conceived investigation launched without credible criteria.

A resolution passed today by the full membership of the USCM reaffirms that Mayors from across the country about fairness and legitimacy in the investigatory process.

We commend HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo for standing tall against this injustice. We thank Attorney General Janet Reno and FBI Director Louis Freeh for agreeing to require specific and measurable criteria to determine the targets of the investigation. This criteria will be based on the protection of taxpayer dollars, rather than race or politics. We also believe it is only fair that all governments-city, county and state, urban, suburban and rural--be evaluated by this criteria.

We look forward to discussing the criteria with the FBI and the Justice Department in a public process before any new investigation begins. Unlike this last targeted, tainted probe, this time let's allow the sunshine of public view to cleanse the process.

Statements by Mayors

"As the Mayor of Kansas City and as the immediate past-President of the National Conference of Black Mayors, I have said all along that there was absolutely no reason to target these three cities, except for reason of politics and race. I am very happy to see that they now agree with me and that the FBI and Justice, as well as Secretary Cuomo, will be involved in determining sound, reasoned criteria for the selection of the targeted areas."

Mayor Emanuel Cleaver, Kansas City, MO

"This investigation reminded me of an old Republican tactic, perfected by Richard Nixon - investigate your political opponent, use the government authority to target them, and cover up your scheme once revealed. They should learn because they didn't get away with it then, and they didn't get away with it now."

Mayor Willie Brown, San Francisco, CA

"This is a victory for open and fair governance. Cities are on their way to economic recovery. Crime is down. Job creation is up. Mayors have worked too hard to have their cities unfairly targeted and tainted with a bogus investigation. I'm delighted to learn of Chairman Lewis' decision to reverse the investigation process and require the IG to work with the FBI and the Justice Department on the selections. It was the right decision. It was a fair decision."

Mayor Mark Morial, New Orleans, LA

The United States Conference of Mayors

J. Thomas Cochran, Executive Director
1620 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone (202) 293-7330, FAX (202) 293-2352

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