CARSON IN HOT WATER for dishwasher and dining set

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson violated the law when his department spent more than US$40,000 to purchase a dining set and a dishwasher for his office’s executive dining room, government auditors concluded. The Government Accountability Office said HUD failed to notify Congress before exceeding a US$5,000 limit set by Congress to furnish or make improvements to the

office of a presidential appointee. Carson told lawmakers last year that he was unaware of the purchase and cancelled it as soon as he learned about it. He also told a House Appropriations subcommittee that he left furniture purchasing decisions to his wife. But emails released by American Oversight suggested Carson and his wife, Candy Carson, both played a role.