Sean Hannity on Monday hit back at a report that links the Fox News host to a group of shell companies that bought more than 870 homes in seven states over the past 10 years, spending more than $90 million, with help from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"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 56-year-old conservative commentator said on his website Hannity.com.
"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."
Last week, it was revealed in federal court that Hannity is a client of President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen – something he never disclosed on his Fox program as he blasted an FBI raid on Cohen's home and office. Hannity insisted he is not Cohen's client and only spoke with him informally about real estate matters.
But on Sunday, The Guardian reported that properties Hannity has been involved with "range from luxurious mansions to rentals for low-income families" and that he is "the hidden owner behind some of the shell companies and his attorney did not dispute that he owns all of them."
Further, "dozens" of those properties were bought at a discount in 2013, "after banks foreclosed on their previous owners for defaulting on mortgages. Before and after then, Hannity sharply criticized Barack Obama for the U.S. foreclosure rate. In January 2016, Hannity said there were 'millions more Americans suffering under this president' partly because of foreclosures."
The Guardian added Hannity built part of his property portfolio with support from the Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a fact he did not mention when praising HUD Secretary Ben Carson on his show.
In his rebuttal of the article, Hannity also said:
"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."
Last week, Fox News said it was standing behind Hannity, while admitting it was "surprised" to hear of his link to Cohen.
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