MSHDA Director Resigns Amid Controversy On Expenses

Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Scott Woosley has stepped down after news broke that he had been reimbursed for more than $200,000 in travel expenses. Mr. Woosley’s resignation comes only 22 months after he had been appointed as Director. State Treasurer Kevin Clinton said he would ask the MSHDA Board to make Deputy Treasurer Wayne Workman acting MSHDA executive director.

Documents obtained by Michigan Democrats under the Freedom of Information Act showed expensive dinners, high-priced hotel rooms, limousine services, and costly airline tickets totaling over $200,000 that had been charged by Mr. Woosley. A few requests for reimbursement were denied, however, most of the denied requests were alcohol related. Mr. Woosley has asked that his expenditures be reviewed adding that he would personally reimburse the state for any expenses deemed inappropriate.

Sara Wurfel, Governor Snyder’s spokesperson, said that Mr. Woosley was not asked to resign and both parties agreed that his resignation was the best step forward. Mr. Woosley added that he resigned because he did not want the controversy to take away from the accomplishments of MSHDA and all of the positive work being done. During his resignation announcement, he highlighted an $800 million effort to steady neighborhoods that had suffered from the foreclosure crisis as well as a $100 million blight removal project in Detroit.

Ms. Wurfel added that the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) is working toward making sure all state employees follow proper travel protocol and emphasized that Mr. Woosley would repay any expenditures he is found personally liable for.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, August 15, 2014 10:31 AM
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