I've listened to Ben Carson speak at several Iowa campaign events when he ran for President and got a chance to ask him a question at a town hall. He comes off as humble, smart, and a kind man.
But public image and private actions sometimes clash.
Now Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Carson initially said that he had no idea his staff had ordered a $31,000 dining set. It turns out that may not be the case.
Newly released emails from Carson's assistant back in August appear to show he and his wife personally selected the furniture. The emails came with the subject line: “Secretary’s Dining Room Furniture Needed.” It cites “printouts of the furniture the Secretary and Mrs. Carson picked out.”
The documents were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act Request from American Oversight. That is a watchdog group helmed by former Obama administration officials.
However, whistleblower complaints filed by Helen Foster, a high-ranking HUD civil servant, allege that a top official repeatedly told Foster to "find money," for the purchase.
I want give Carson the benefit of the doubt because of my public impression. But he needs to explain these emails.
If it's the case that he didn't KNOW the cost of the furniture and a STAFFER ordered Foster to "find the money" without Carson's knowledge, then that's the fault of an overzealous staffer trying to please the boss. If he lied when caught, he needs to step down. When trust is broken, it's hard to restore it.