Sean Hannity Responds to Report on His Real Estate Empire: ‘I Am Being Attacked’

 

Sean Hannity responded to The Guardian‘s report on his massive real estate empire by suggesting the media is unfairly “attacking” him for putting money into “communities that badly need such investment.”

The UK-based outlet reported yesterday that a shell company tied to Hannity spent $90 million buying 870 homes in the U.S. — many of which were foreclosed properties. Conflict of interest questions were raised due to the real estate venture’s ties to the Department of Housing and Urban Development — since they receive financial support from the National Housing Act loan program — and the fact that HUD Secretary Ben Carson appeared on Hannity’s show in a fawning interview.

Read Hannity’s full statement on his real estate investment below:

“It is ironic that I am being attacked for investing my personal money in communities that badly need such investment and in which, I am sure, those attacking me have not invested their money. The fact is, these are investments that I do not individually select, control, or know the details about; except that obviously I believe in putting my money to work in communities that otherwise struggle to receive such support.

I have never discussed with anybody at HUD the original loans that were obtained in the Obama years, nor the subsequent refinance of such loans, as they are a private matter. I had no role in, or responsibility for, any HUD involvement in any of these investments. I can say that every rigorous process and strict standard of improvement requirements were followed; all were met, fulfilled and inspected.

The LLC’s are REAL companies that spend real investment money on real properties.”

Hannity’s real estate investments were discovered after it was revealed in court that he is the mysterious third client of Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen. The Fox News host claimed he and Cohen have only had “brief discussions” on “legal questions about which I wanted his input and perspective.”

“I’ve said many times on my radio show: I hate the stock market, I prefer real estate. Michael knows real estate,” added Hannity.

[images via screengrab]

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Caleb Ecarma was a reporter at Mediaite. Email him here: caleb@mediaite.com Follow him on Twitter here: @calebecarma