Brad Ashford blew his big chance

Yesterday was Brad Ashford’s big chance to offer an amendment to the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development appropriations bill and provide transparency to 2^nd District families when it comes to his potential shady dealings as former CEO of the Omaha Housing Authority (OHA). 

Ashford has been dodging claims of a conflict of interest between funds misspent by OHA and his current efforts to lobby HUD on behalf of his former employer, though Ashford has provided no proof to back up his claims that he wasn’t involved.

A recent audit contains information that would put to rest any doubts of Ashford’s involvement, but HUD refuses to release it, even after multiple FOIA requests.

In yesterday’s bill that directly affects HUD, Ashford could have pushed to use Congress’ oversight powers to compel the Obama Administration to release the audit in question and ensure transparency for Omaha families. Instead, Ashford chose to hide behind government bureaucracy and save his own tail.

“Brad Ashford had the chance to be honest about his potential shady deals as CEO of Omaha’s Housing Authority but instead sat on the sidelines in order to protect his political career. With a simple move to use Congress’ oversight powers to release information, Ashford could have shown he is serious about fighting for transparency and accountability in government. Now we know Brad Ashford is only concerned with hiding the truth about his past in Nebraska.” – NRCC Spokesman Zach Hunter