Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, has become the fourth member of the House of Representatives to be identified as an alleged recipient of a discounted home loan from Countrywide Financial.
According to media reports, Sessions reportedly received a Countrywide loan worth as much as $1 million in 2007 as part of Countrywide's outreach to influential politicians via the so-called ‘Friends of Angelo’ program, named after former Countrywide chief Angelo Mozilo.
Sessions' office disputed the claim that he received special mortgage perks from Countrywide.
‘Out of an abundance of caution in managing his personal finances, Congressman Sessions specifically requested that he not be extended any special benefits or treatment from Countrywide,’ says Torrie Miller, Sessions' spokesperson. ‘Everything about his experience suggests that his simple request was honored and that he was treated like every other customer. Congressman Sessions welcomes providing any details requested by any House committee about this loan, which no longer exists.’
Other House members identified in a House Ethics Committee probe of the Countrywide connection include California Republicans Elton Gallegly and Howard McKeon and New York Democrat Edolphus Towns.