The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Alphonso Jackson is allegedly under investigation because of a New Orleans-based HUD contract that was awarded to a social friend, according to a report which ran in the National Journal Group this week.

The journal’s report says Jackson raised a few eyebrows in 2006 when he gave a speech in Dallas, saying he had stopped a prior HUD contract because the contractor had insulted President George Bush. The article says concerns over the comments eventually died down, but flared up again, when Jackson testified in front of Congress saying he has never intervened in the awarding of HUD contracts.
Because of that statement, and the contract that Jackson is suspected of lining up for a friend, %{=font-style: italic;}The National Journal %says Jackson is allegedly the subject of an FBI and Justice Department investigation.
A representative for the FBI refused to comment on the case Friday, saying no information has been released either confirming, acknowledging or denying the report thus far.
Click here to read the full National Journal Group report.