Lynne Patton, a regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Trump administration, was in hot water for abusing her power after staying in public housing for a month in 2019.
"The Office of Special Counsel on Tuesday announced a settlement agreement with former Trump Housing and Urban Development official Lynne Patton, who violated the Hatch Act by using her official role to produce a video for the 2020 Republican convention," reports Andrew Solender.
The news of the Hatch Act violation provides a coda to the controversial tenure of Patton in the Trump administration, during which the former regional administrator for New York and New Jersey made news for getting hired directly from a job planning weddings for the Eric Trump Foundation in addition to suggesting that public housing be privatized and for living in New York public housing for four weeks in a move widely derided as a publicity stunt. That stay in public housing is also connected to the video that eventually led to this settlement agreement.
As noted by Solender, Patton joins a small group of Trump administration officials to face punishment under the Hatch Act, although the administration was generally dismissive of the ethics law.
The Biden administration has pledged to uphold stricter standards regarding the Hatch Act, but newly appointed HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge has received an ethics complaint for promoting Ohio Democrats from the White House podium.
FULL STORY: Ex-Trump Official Fined For Hatch Act Violation Over GOP Video With Public Housing Residents
Trump Official Done with a Month-Long Stay in New York Public Housing
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional (HUD) Administrator Lynne Patton's decision to live in New York public housing for a month was called a publicity stunt. One thing it is for sure: over.
Trump Administration Suddenly Drops Fair Housing Concerns in Westchester, New York
The news that the Trump Administration hired a former party planner to oversee HUD's New York and New Jersey office went viral in June. The hire has already had an effect on affordable housing policy in Westchester County, New York.
Biden Administration to Reinstate Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, Disparate Impact Rules
The pendulum swings on federal fair housing law.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)