Zweifel champions sunshine by announcing MHDC Investigation

No law required him to do it.  Many won't be happy he did it.  But new State Treasurer Clint Zweifel has again taken the high road of public openness--- this time by publicly announcing a federal investigation of the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

Here is an excerpt of Columbia Tribune coverage by veteran reporter Terry Ganey:

Pete Ramsel, the chief staff member of the state’s low-income housing program, said yesterday he was questioned a year ago by FBI agents inquiring into the operations of the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

Ramsel, the commission’s executive director, said he did not want to discuss the nature of his interview with federal agents, citing a request by the FBI that he keep the information confidential. “I know there is an FBI investigation going on,” he told The Associated Press.

Ramsel said he was only disclosing it now because state Treasurer Clint Zweifel had made it public. Zweifel is the new chairman of the commission, which awards developers millions of dollars in tax credits a year to create housing for the poor and elderly.

Last winter, Zweifel championed openness by announcing loses by the Missouri State Employees Retirement System in the Madoff scandal.  MOSERS' often misguided Executive Director had been keeping those losses secret.