Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has requested a security detail after reportedly receiving death threats following his criminal referral claiming New York Attorney General Letitia James committed mortgage fraud. However, the security detail request was directed to agency that has nothing to do with the FHFA.
CBS News, sourcing its coverage from unnamed people “with direct knowledge of the request,” is reporting that Pulte’s request was made to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by FHFA Acting Inspector General Christian Schrank, who until December worked as HHS’ deputy inspector general for investigations. The HHS inspector general has traditionally provided security for the department’s secretary and is currently offering currently a security detail for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
The FHFA is an independent agency not connected to an Executive Branch department. It is unclear why the request was made to HHS as opposed to the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the Department of Justice.
Pulte is reportedly receiving a temporary protective detail involving two to three agents who will working in 30-day rotations. This security detail is expected to begin in the next two to four weeks, and one anonymous source stated the detail could last up to 90 days, until FHFA’s Office of the Inspector General hires its own agents.
HHS is expected to be reimbursed for the cost of the detail, the anonymous source added. An FHFA spokesperson would not comment on the report.
