In 2008, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) joined her Republican colleagues and called on then House Financial Services chairman Barney Frank to hold a hearing into allegations that Countrywide Financial provided preferential treatment on mortgage loans to members of Congress and other government officials through a VIP program directly managed by Countrywide’s Chairman and CEO Angelo Mozilo.
Capito and her colleagues complained that the VIP program “resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in savings through reduced fees, fee waivers, and unique benefits not accessible to the general public.”
Now Capito’s opponent – Democrat Howard Swint – wants to know about any reduced fees, fee waivers, and unique benefits not accessible to the general public that Capito might have received on mortgages on three properties she and her husband own – a house in Charleston, West Virginia and residential properties in Washington, D.C. and Lexington, Virginia.
According to Capito’s most recent financial disclosure form, the Congresswoman has had – or currently has – mortgages on the three properties financed by Wells Fargo, Citigroup and United Bank.
Coincidentally – or not – Capito’s husband – Charles Capito – is drawing paychecks from – you guessed it – Wells Fargo, Citigroup and United Bank.
“I have challenged her to release the same information she requested in 2008 from other members of Congress,” Swint said. “And she has refused to release that information.”
Capito’s office did not return calls seeking comment.