A longtime Trump family associate will soon be responsible for administering billions of dollars in federal housing funds.
Lynne Patton organized the wedding of President’s son, Eric Trump, coordinated Trump golf course tournaments, served as the Eric Trump Foundation’s vice president, and is a senior aide to the Trump family. News broke today that—starting July 5—she’ll be leading U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Region II, which includes New York and New Jersey.
According to the New York Daily News, Patton has a long-running relationship with the Trumps that goes back to 2009 when she started as their “event planner.” However, questions have immediately arisen regarding her qualifications for her new role at HUD.
“Never heard of her before and it’s surprising to say the least,” says @NYCmayor of Lynne Patton, who is said named HUD regional director
— J. David Goodman (@jdavidgoodman) June 16, 2017
The LinkedIn profile of newly appointed HUD Region II Director (and former Trump wedding planner) Lynne Patton. https://t.co/4exAfCuihA pic.twitter.com/MklOAHrjTM
— Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) June 16, 2017
Her LinkedIn page lists a J.D. from Quinnipiac University but includes a “N/A”; Yale University is also listed but with no additional information. The New York Attorney General also began “looking into” The Eric Trump Foundation after a report from Forbes appeared to expose practices that broke state laws.
Patton’s directorship at HUD will include block grants and rental vouchers that go toward senior citizen programs and housing inspections; The New York Daily News reports that HUD funds 100 percent of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)’s capital repair budget and 70 percent of its operational budget. The role Patton is filling has been vacant since January 20.
