Conflict-of-interest issues grow for President Obama's new urban czar Adolfo Carrion

BY Greg B. Smith
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Updated Wednesday, March 11th 2009, 9:15 AM

The White House told urban czar Adolfo Carrión on Wednesday to pay the architect who did work on his Bronx home more than two years ago.

The Daily News reported that Carrión, the former Bronx borough president who is now the White House urban policy director, had the architect draw up renovations in early 2007. That work came as Carrión's office was reviewing the architect's plan for a housing project.

Carrión still hasn't paid for the work, raising questions about whether it was a freebie done to win approval of the project.

Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson's office confirmed Wednesday night it was looking into the matter.

Spokesman Steven Reed declined to characterize the DA's involvement as an investigation, saying only "the facts as reported raise questions that we are trying to get answers to."

At Wednesday's press briefing, spokesman Robert Gibbs said the White House expects Carrión to pay the $3,627.50 bill.

"I think the quote says that when the work is complete, that the bill will be paid. And certainly that would be the expectation," Gibbs said.

Gibbs did not mention that the addition of a porch and balcony to Carrión's home took place in late 2006 and early 2007.

The contractor on the home renovation, Nationwide Maintenance, declined to say how much it was paid.

It is illegal for city officials to accept gifts from entities they know are doing business or are about to do business with the city.
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