Housing Authority Chairwoman Resigns

by Ashlie Hardway

EL PASO — The chairwoman of the Housing Authority of El Paso has resigned amid an investigation into alleged corruption and misspending at the agency.

Kenna Ramirez announced her decision to leave on Friday, citing difficulties she has had with the board of commissioners asthemain reason for leaving.

HUD visitedtheagencylast month to assessvarious claims ofcorruption that Ramirez had made. In a letter writtento Mayor John Cook,HUD recommended several incidents be investigated before a new executive director was hired.

One of those incidents included Commissioner Jaime Rubenstein’s alleged conflict of interest concerning the agency’s acquisition of a contract with Aliviane, an organization that provides drug rehab services.

Rubenstein accepted a position with one of Aliviane’s sister companiesa month after the Housing Authority Board approved the contract. “I felt betrayed when I found out that he had taken that job afterwards,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez also claims Rubenstein was requesting salary raises for housing authority directors in exchange for favors. Two other commissioners are also involved in fraud, she said.

Officials with the housing authority tell ABC-7 Rubenstein has since resigned his position with Aliviane’s sister company.