Report: Hannity used HUD aid to build real estate empire

Fox News commentator and radio host Sean Hannity built a real estate empire primarily in the South, including in Florida, in part by using mortgage loans backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to a report in the Guardian newspaper.

The Guardian found Hannity had spent about $90 million buying at least 870 properties in seven states, including Florida, Alabama, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Vermont.

The properties were purchased through holding companies based in Georgia, and the deals were made in part through the HUD mortgage loans even as Hannity sung the praises of the department without disclosing his financial ties.

The report follows news that Hannity defended President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, without disclosing that he, too, was a client of Cohen’s.

Later Monday, Fox News issued a statement to the Sun Sentinel from Hannity that read in full:

“It is ironic that I am being attacked for investing my personal money in communities that badly need such investment and in which, I am sure, those attacking me have not invested their money. The fact is, these are investments that I do not individually select, control, or know the details about; except that obviously I believe in putting my money to work in communities that otherwise struggle to receive such support.

“I have never discussed with anybody at HUD the original loans that were obtained in the Obama years, nor the subsequent refinance of such loans, as they are a private matter. I had no role in, or responsibility for, any HUD involvement in any of these investments. I can say that every rigorous process and strict standard of improvement requirements were followed; all were met, fulfilled and inspected.

“The LLC’s are REAL companies that spend real investment money on real properties.”

Hannity