Philadelphia Housing Authority will pay back HUD for Saidel’s legal fees

    The Philadelphia Housing Authority will have to dip into its reserves to reimburse HUD for $150,000 in legal fees paid to former City Controller Jonathan Saidel with federal money.

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has critized the agency for wreckless spending, and continues to review invoices from outside lawfirms, the Inquirer reports, and also wants PHA to pay back $69,435.50 paid to Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis L.L.P., while PHA has separately asked the firm to reimburse the Philadelphia agency for $14,822.50 for fees earned by its attorneys to attend dinner parties, ribbon-cuttings, a rally, and a party planning meeting. PHA says that money will go to HUD.

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