Former Bronx Borough President Adolfo
Carrion is stepping down from his post as regional director for the Department
of Housing and Urban Development in New York and New Jersey next month.
Carrion is leaving
the Obama administration to go to the private sector and help work to re-elect
the president. One source said he is planning on starting a company.
After serving as borough
president until 2009, Carrion went to Washington to serve as Director of the
White House Office of Urban Affairs before taking the position at HUD.
Carrion officially leaves his
post Feb. 10.
The
resignation comes less than two months since the New York City Conflict of
Interest Board fined him $10,000 for his connection with an architect
who helped renovate his home in 2006. At the time, the architect was also
seeking approval from his office for a separate project.
The
source, with Washington ties, said the resignation is likely an effort
to get himself back into the political limelight for the 2013 mayoral race or
city comptroller. With City Comptroller John Liu struggling lately, Carrion
could hope to gain the minority vote in either race.
He
has over $2 million in his war chest that could be used for either race. According to reports, having a federal job would prevent him from raising campaign cash.
Current
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., also a Latino, still hasn’t ruled out
a run for mayor either, though.
The
source said Carrion most likely was not pushed out and that it was not related
to Monday’s news of fellow Bronxite Jack Lew’s appointment as President Obama’s
new chief of staff.
UPDATE: Here is a letter Carrion sent to friends and colleagues, where he writes, "Upon my departure from HUD, I will be launching Metro Futures LLC, an entity that will be dedicated to advancing investment in infrastructure, housing, and smart metropolitan growth. In this work, I plan to continue to make progress towards our shared mission of building competitive, sustainable and opportunity-rich communities across our great country."
