Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson has been at the center of a controversy about overspending, and now Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) has opened an investigation into the matter.
An employee of the HUD office said she was demoted when she refused to spend more for decoration of the office than was legally allowed.
Gowdy sent a letter to Carson at the HUD department, asking that he supply all documents having to do with the accusations issued against him.
"The Committee is aware of a complaint filed with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) by Department of Housing and Urban Development employee Helen Foster alleging retaliation when Foster refused to abet exceeding a spending cap on redecorating your office," the letter read.
Gowdy asked to obtain all "documents and communications referring or relating to redecorating, furnishing, or equipping your office since January 1, 2017, including, but not limited to, receipts for related expenses, and a February 22, 2017."
Foster had filed a complaint about the spending in November — the limit of spending was set at $5,000, and the request had far exceeded that amount, with $31,000 spent on a "new office suite dining room set."
Carson tweeted about the allegations from his social media account Wednesday.
"Thank you to so many who have expressed concern for me and my family over the latest accusations," he said. "Rest assured that there has been no dishonesty or wrongdoing by us. All the numbers and evidence are being gathered and a full disclosure is forthcoming."
"We suspect, based on past attempts, that they will continue to probe and make further accusations even without evidence or substantiation," he concluded. "We will continue to ask for God’s guidance to do what is right."
